Original Word: בַּקְבֻּקְיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Baqbukyah
Pronunciation: bahk-boo-KYAH
Phonetic Spelling: (bak-book-yaw')
KJV: Bakbukiah
NASB: Bakbukiah
Word Origin: [from H1228 (בַּקבּוּק - jar) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. emptying (i.e. wasting) of Jah
2. Bakbukjah, an Israelite

Bakbukiah

From baqbuk and Yahh; emptying (i.e. Wasting) of Jah; Bakbukjah, an Israelite -- Bakbukiah.

see HEBREW baqbuk

see HEBREW Yahh

Word Origin
from baqbuq and Yah
Definition
"emptying of Yah," a Levite
NASB Translation
Bakbukiah (3).

בַּקְבֻּקְיָה proper name, masculine a Levite Nehemiah 11:17; Nehemiah 12:9,25.

Biblical Setting

The name appears solely in the restoration narrative of Nehemiah, a period when the returned exiles were rebuilding the city, re-establishing temple worship, and setting the community in order (Nehemiah 1–13). All three mentions occur within Nehemiah’s detailed registers of Levites who served in worship and in guarding the newly completed temple precincts.

Occurrences

Nehemiah 11:17 – Listed among Levites who led public thanksgiving in Jerusalem:

“Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, was the principal who began the thanksgiving with prayer. Bakbukiah was second among his associates…”.

Nehemiah 12:9 – Positioned opposite the leaders of song during the dedication of the wall:

“Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.”.

Nehemiah 12:25 – Counted among the gatekeepers guarding the storerooms at the gates after the wall’s dedication.

Levitical Function

1. Assistant Worship Leader

In Nehemiah 11:17, he is “second” to Mattaniah. This indicates an officially recognized hierarchy among temple musicians. His task was to respond antiphonally or to take over when the principal singer rested, ensuring unbroken praise.

2. Standing Opposite in Service

Nehemiah 12:9 depicts groups of Levites facing one another, a practice that enhanced the liturgical antiphony prescribed by David centuries earlier (1 Chronicles 25). His placement “opposite” underscores organized corporate worship rather than spontaneous performance.

3. Gatekeeper Duty

Nehemiah 12:25 names him with those who guarded storerooms. Levites often rotated between musical and gatekeeping responsibilities (1 Chronicles 9:17–27). Safeguarding temple resources was vital, especially when re-establishing tithes and offerings (Nehemiah 13:12–13).

Whether these verses describe one Levite serving multiple shifts or two individuals with the same name, both offices belong to the same Levitical sphere: facilitating worship and protecting holy things.

Historical Significance

• Symbol of Post-Exilic Continuity

The chronicling of his service anchors the new community in the patterns instituted by David and refined by Solomon. Such continuity testified that the covenant purposes of God had not failed during exile.

• Witness to Orderly Worship

His inclusion in the registers highlights the careful organization behind Israel’s praise. Music, thanksgiving, and security were assigned, scheduled, and carried out under recognized leadership.

• Participant in Covenant Renewal

By standing in the choirs during the wall’s dedication (Nehemiah 12), he helped lead a nationwide act of rededication. The people’s joy “could be heard far away” (Nehemiah 12:43), signaling that divine favor had returned.

Ministry Themes

1. Service without Prominence

Named only in lists, he exemplifies faithful ministry that undergirds public worship yet rarely receives spotlight.

2. Readiness for Varied Tasks

Shifting from platform to gate, he shows the Levite’s willingness to handle both spiritual and practical duties—praise and protection.

3. Corporate Responsibility

His “second” position stresses teamwork rather than individuality. Worship in Scripture is a shared enterprise where each role matters.

Theological Reflection

The brief but concrete notices of this Levite reinforce the biblical truth that God records and rewards every act of obedient service (Hebrews 6:10). In a rebuilt Jerusalem, flourishing worship required more than a platform of singers; it demanded watchful guardians of the gates, stores, and schedules. The quiet faithfulness of servants like Bakbukiah contributed directly to the renewed spiritual vitality of the nation.

Lessons for the Church

• Honor unseen workers whose diligence sustains public ministry.
• Maintain both zeal in praise and vigilance in stewardship.
• Recognize that continuity with biblical patterns of worship fosters community stability and joy.

וּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֛ה וּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֨ה וּבַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה ובקבקיה ū·ḇaq·buq·yāh ūḇaqbuqyāh uvakbukYahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts