from an unused root (meaning to purchase); gainfulness; Zebina, an Israelite; Zebina.
Transliteration:Zᵉbîynâʼ
Pronunciation:zeb-ee-naw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2081}}` *Zᵉbîynâʼ* is a proper noun, a personal name. It is derived from an unused root, which is understood to convey the meaning of "to purchase" or "to gain." Thus, the name itself carries the semantic weight of "gainfulness" or "acquisition." While the root itself does not appear independently in the biblical text, its meaning is preserved and implied through this proper noun, suggesting a conceptual link to notions of value, profit, or something acquired.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H2081}}` *Zᵉbîynâʼ* appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Ezra.
* [[Ezra 10:43]]: "Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, Benaiah."
In this singular occurrence, Zebina is listed among those men from the post-exilic community who had taken foreign wives, a practice strictly forbidden under the Mosaic Law and a significant concern for Ezra's reforms aimed at restoring covenant fidelity. Following Ezra's strong exhortation and the people's confession, Zebina, along with others, is recorded as having agreed to put away their foreign wives and children, thereby participating in the purification of the community and the renewal of their covenant with Yahweh. The context places Zebina as an individual who, despite having transgressed, chose repentance and obedience.
### Related Words & Concepts
While `{{H2081}}` itself is a unique proper noun, its underlying root meaning of "to purchase" or "to gain" connects it to broader biblical concepts. It subtly resonates with themes of:
* **Acquisition and Value:** The idea of something being "purchased" or having "gain" implies value, whether material or spiritual.
* **Covenant Fidelity and Cost:** The act of repentance and putting away foreign wives, as seen in Ezra, carried a significant personal cost but led to spiritual gain and restoration of the covenant relationship. This echoes the concept that obedience, though sometimes demanding, yields invaluable spiritual profit.
* **Redemption:** Though not directly a word for redemption, the root's sense of "purchase" can evoke the broader theological concept of God's redemptive "purchase" of His people, often at a great cost (e.g., the blood of Christ in the New Testament).
* **Blessing of Obedience:** The "gainfulness" inherent in the name can be seen as a subtle reminder of the blessings and spiritual profit that accrue from faithful adherence to God's commands.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H2081}}` *Zᵉbîynâʼ*, as a proper name, lies primarily in its contextual appearance within Ezra's reforms and the implicit meaning of the name itself. Zebina's inclusion in the list of those who repented and acted decisively to purify the community underscores the importance of individual and corporate obedience to God's covenant. The name's connotation of "gainfulness" or "profit" can be interpreted as a theological statement: while the act of putting away foreign wives was undoubtedly difficult and costly on a personal level, it represented a profound spiritual "gain" for the individual and the nation. This "gain" was the restoration of purity, the re-establishment of covenant integrity, and the renewed favor of God. Zebina's story, therefore, subtly illustrates that true spiritual profit is found not in worldly acquisitions but in faithful adherence to God's will, even when it demands sacrifice.
### Summary
`{{H2081}}` *Zᵉbîynâʼ* is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name meaning "gainfulness" or "acquisition," derived from an unused root signifying "to purchase." It appears uniquely in [[Ezra 10:43]], where Zebina is listed among the men who, in response to Ezra's call, confessed their sin of taking foreign wives and acted to put them away. The name's intrinsic meaning, "gainfulness," subtly underscores the theological truth that obedience to God, even when it involves personal sacrifice and cost, ultimately results in spiritual profit, restoration, and the invaluable gain of covenant fidelity. Zebina's act of repentance and obedience exemplifies the profound spiritual benefit derived from aligning one's life with God's commands.
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