Lexical Summary Gishpa: Gishpa Original Word: גִּשְׁפָּא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gispa Of uncertain derivation; Gishpa, an Israelite -- Gispa. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition one of the Nethinim NASB Translation Gishpa (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גִּשְׁמָּא proper name, masculine named after צִיחָא as an officer of Nethinim Nehemiah 11:21; see om. B; ᵐ5L & Manuscripts Γεσφα; name not elsewhere in OT, not even "" 1 Chronicles 9; possibly corrupted from חֲשֻׂפָא Nehemiah 7:46 (following צִחָא; in "" Ezra 2:43 חֲשׁוּפָא, צִיחָא), ᵐ5 Ἁσφα (B; Manuscripts Ασειφα, etc.); compare BeRy. גשׁר (√ of following compare Assyrian gašâru, strengthen, make firm LotzTPRegister; Arabic Topical Lexicon Name and IdentityGishpa is a post-exilic leader of the Nethinim, the hereditary class of temple servants who assisted the Levites in liturgical and practical duties. His name appears only once in Scripture, yet it situates him within the critical generation that re-established worship in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. Biblical Setting Nehemiah 11 details the repopulation of Jerusalem under Nehemiah and Ezra. Verse 21 reads: “But the temple servants lived on Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa over the temple servants.” Positioned in the middle of a census-like register, the note underscores the structured organization of the sacred workforce in the restored city. Role among the Nethinim (Temple Servants) 1. Administrative Leadership Gishpa, together with Ziha, is described as being “over” the Nethinim. The phrase conveys supervisory authority—coordinating daily assignments, safeguarding ritual purity, and ensuring a ready supply of personnel for the Levites and priests. 2. Lineage and Continuity Earlier lists (Ezra 2:43-58; Nehemiah 7:46-60) establish forty-two named families of Nethinim returning from exile. Though Gishpa’s family is not singled out there, his later appearance implies generational fidelity: the Nethinim remained committed to their vocation, and new leaders such as Gishpa emerged to carry the mantle. 3. Residence on Ophel Ophel, the southeastern ridge between the City of David and the Temple Mount, afforded the Nethinim immediate access to the sacred precincts. Gishpa’s presence in this strategic quarter highlights the practical integration of service and worship in post-exilic Jerusalem. Historical Context Under Persian governance (circa mid-fifth century B.C.), Judea enjoyed limited autonomy to rebuild its temple and city walls. Nehemiah’s reforms emphasized covenant fidelity, social justice, and liturgical order (Nehemiah 8–13). Within that framework, the Nethinim under Gishpa functioned as indispensable support staff, embodying the renewed dedication of the community to God’s house. Theological and Ministerial Implications 1. Humble Service in God’s Economy Although ranked below priests and Levites, the Nethinim were vital to the functioning of temple worship. Gishpa’s leadership demonstrates that prominence in Scripture is not measured by frequency of mention but by faithfulness to one’s assigned task (compare 1 Corinthians 12:18-22). 2. Ordered Worship Reflects Divine Character The meticulous organization of temple personnel under overseers like Gishpa mirrors the orderliness attributed to God Himself. The same principle governs New Testament gatherings, where “all things should be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). 3. Preservation of Covenant Identity By maintaining distinct roles and residences, the Nethinim reinforced Israel’s corporate identity as “a kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6). Gishpa’s stewardship contributed to safeguarding that vocation amid imperial pressures and cultural syncretism. Lessons for Contemporary Service • Faithfulness Over Fame: A solitary verse bearing Gishpa’s name reminds modern believers that God records and rewards even behind-the-scenes service (Hebrews 6:10). Related Passages and Themes Ezra 2:70 – The Nethinim settle around Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3:26 – Temple servants occupy Ophel during wall reconstruction. Psalm 84:10 – “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God” resonates with the humble spirit of the Nethinim. Acts 6:1-6 – Appointment of servants (diakonoi) to care for practical needs echoes the Old Testament pattern. Christological and New Covenant Reflections The Nethinim foreshadow the servant nature of Christ, who “took upon Himself the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). Under the New Covenant every believer is summoned to spiritual service (1 Peter 4:10-11), yet God still equips specific individuals to organize and administer that service, a role parallel to Gishpa’s oversight. Summary Gishpa, though mentioned only once, occupies a meaningful place in the tapestry of redemptive history. As an overseer of the Nethinim, he helped re-establish ordered worship in Jerusalem, modeling humble, efficient, and collaborative ministry. His brief cameo in Scripture invites believers to value every assignment God grants, confident that the Lord remembers and honors faithful service. Forms and Transliterations וְגִשְׁפָּ֖א וגשפא vegishPa wə·ḡiš·pā wəḡišpāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 11:21 HEB: בָּעֹ֑פֶל וְצִיחָ֥א וְגִשְׁפָּ֖א עַל־ הַנְּתִינִֽים׃ NAS: and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge KJV: and Ziha and Gispa [were] over the Nethinims. INT: Ophel and Ziha and Gishpa charge servants 1 Occurrence |
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