Custody
TextsWhat is the meaning of Custody in the Bible?
In Ezra 2:3, 8, 14, the Hebrew word yadh (hand) is translated as custody, while pequddah (numbering, charge) appears in Numbers 3:36, where the Revised Version renders it as appointed charge, with the margin noting the Hebrew office of the charge.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding these terms clarifies the administrative structure of the post-exilic community, showing how biblical authors used physical metaphors like hand to denote official responsibility and record-keeping.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Custody functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Custody in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Custody clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Ezra 2:3Numbers 3:36
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Custody." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/custody/