Original Word: בַּקְבַּקַּר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Baqbaqqar
Pronunciation: bahk-bahk-KAR
Phonetic Spelling: (bak-bak-kar')
KJV: Bakbakkar
NASB: Bakbakkar
Word Origin: [reduplicated from H1239 (בָּקַר - seek)]

1. searcher
2. Bakbakkar, an Israelite

Bakbakkar

Reduplicated from baqar; searcher; Bakbakkar, an Israelite -- Bakbakkar.

see HEBREW baqar

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a Levite
NASB Translation
Bakbakkar (1).

בַּקְבַּקַּר proper name, masculine (form strange, meaning dubious) a Levite 1 Chronicles 9:15.

בַּקְבֻּקָיָה see below בקק.

בקה (test, prove, compare Aramaic בְּקָא.

Biblical Occurrence

Bakbakkar is mentioned once in Scripture, in 1 Chronicles 9:15, within the register of Levites settled in Jerusalem after the exile: “Bakbakkar, Hoash, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zicri, the son of Asaph” (Berean Standard Bible).

Historical Setting

1 Chronicles 9 recounts the resettlement of returned exiles under Persian rule. The Chronicler lists families to demonstrate that worship at the house of God resumed under proper Levitical supervision. Bakbakkar belongs to this post-exilic generation whose calling was to re-establish continuous praise and service in the restored temple (compare Ezra 3:10–11; Nehemiah 12:27-47).

Levitical Lineage and Duties

Although the verse provides no direct genealogy for Bakbakkar, his placement among Levites tied to the lineage of Asaph indicates probable service as a singer or musician (1 Chronicles 6:31-47). Asaph’s descendants were charged with leading choral worship and sounding cymbals, lyres, and harps before the ark (1 Chronicles 15:16-19). Bakbakkar thus stood in the heritage of those who “ministered with singing before the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting” (1 Chronicles 6:32).

Role in Post-Exilic Worship

The diminished but faithful remnant needed voices that would remind them of covenant identity. Every name in the list testifies that the Lord preserved worship-leaders despite captivity (Psalm 126:1-3). Bakbakkar’s presence underscores God’s provision of skilled Levites to restore ordered praise, maintaining continuity with pre-exilic temple practice commanded in Numbers 3:5-10.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Faithfulness – The survival of Asaphite singers, including Bakbakkar, proves the Lord’s promise that Levi would always serve before Him (Jeremiah 33:17-18).
2. Worship and Community – Genuine restoration required both walls (Nehemiah 6:15) and worship (Nehemiah 12:45-47). Bakbakkar symbolizes the indispensable spiritual dimension of national life.
3. Corporate Memory – Listing individual Levites anchors post-exilic Israel to her historical calling. The Chronicler emphasizes names so that future generations will remember those who “gave thanks and praise to the LORD” (Ezra 3:11).

Practical and Ministerial Insights

• Continuity of Praise: The Lord desires unbroken worship across generations. Modern ministry inherits the same privilege, learning from Bakbakkar’s quiet fidelity.
• Hidden yet Essential Service: Though Scripture mentions him only once, Bakbakkar’s role was critical. God records every act of service, whether celebrated or obscure (Hebrews 6:10).
• Preparedness for Revival: When God moves to restore, He raises worship-leaders in advance. Churches should cultivate and train musicians and intercessors so they are ready when renewal comes.

Related Passages for Study

1 Chronicles 6:31-47 – Assignment of Asaphite singers

1 Chronicles 15:16-22 – Musical organization under David

Ezra 3:10-13 – Post-exilic worship at the foundation of the second temple

Nehemiah 12:24-29 – Choirs in the dedication of Jerusalem’s wall

Psalm 50:1-6 – A psalm of Asaph highlighting the call to worship

וּבַקְבַּקַּ֥ר ובקבקר ū·ḇaq·baq·qar ūḇaqbaqqar uvakbakKarInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts