Lexical Summary
Paseach: Paseach
Original Word:פָסֵחַ
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Paceach
Pronunciation:pah-SAY-akh
Phonetic Spelling:(paw-say'-akh)
KJV: Paseah, Phaseah
NASB:Paseah
Word Origin:[fromH6452 (פָּסַח - To pass over)]
1. limping
2. Paseach, the name of two Israelites
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Paseah, Phaseah
Frompacach; limping; Paseach, the name of two Israelites -- Paseah, Phaseah.
see HEBREWpacach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
pasachDefinition"limper," three Isr.
NASB TranslationPaseah (4).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(
limper); —
1 Chronicles 4:12, , , etc.
Ezra 2:49 =Nehemiah 7:51, , etc.,L .
Nehemiah 3:6, , .
Topical Lexicon
Name and MeaningPaseah (פָסֵחַ) is commonly understood to carry the idea of “lame” or “limping.” Though an apparently humble designation, the name becomes a testimony to the way God weaves seemingly insignificant people into the redemptive fabric of Israel’s history.
Biblical Appearances
•1 Chronicles 4:12 – Listed among the post-exilic descendants of Judah through Shelah.
•Ezra 2:49 – “the descendants of Paseah” return from Babylon as temple servants (Nethinim).
•Nehemiah 3:6 – “Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate”.
•Nehemiah 7:51 – Parallels Ezra’s list of returnees: “the descendants of Paseah, three hundred and twenty-four.”
Historical Setting
1. Tribal Genealogy (1 Chronicles 4:12)
Paseah appears in the Chronicler’s extensive Judahite record, a reminder that even after the exile Judah’s tribal identity endured. The Chronicler’s concern to trace these lines underscores the Lord’s covenant faithfulness and His intention to preserve a people for the coming Messiah.
2. Post-Exilic Return (Ezra 2:49;Nehemiah 7:51)
The “descendants of Paseah” are counted among the Nethinim—temple servants assigned generations earlier by the leaders and confirmed by David (Ezra 8:20). Their return signals three realities:
• Covenant Mercy: God provoked Persian kings to release not only priests and Levites but also humble servants, so that worship could resume in full order.
• Community Wholeness: The restored community included every tier of society, reflecting the body-life ideal that “the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.’”
• Numerical Precision: The lists in Ezra and Nehemiah preserve exact counts (324 in Nehemiah; 282 in Ezra, when Ezra’s list omits some families), evidencing the reliability of Scripture and the careful stewardship of genealogical memory.
3. Rebuilding the Walls (Nehemiah 3:6)
Joiada son of Paseah participates in restoring Jerusalem’s Old Gate. His work stood opposite the Temple Mount, providing secure access for commerce and worship. By recording his contribution, Nehemiah spotlights the willingness of ordinary families to shoulder strategic tasks. This underscores the priesthood-of-all-believers principle foreshadowed in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New.
Theological and Ministry Significance
• God’s Care for the Lowly: The “lame” name of Paseah and his identification among temple servants reveal the Lord’s regard for those society might overlook. He calls, equips, and records their service for posterity.
• Continuity of Redemptive History: From Judah’s early settlements to the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem, the line of Paseah illustrates how God preserves families through judgment and restoration, validating the overarching unity of Scripture.
• Corporate Responsibility: Paseah’s descendants model communal obedience. Whether serving in the Temple’s menial roles or laying stone in Jerusalem’s gates, they demonstrate that every believer’s labor, however modest, contributes to God’s kingdom purposes.
Lessons for Today
1. Celebrate Hidden Service: Modern ministry often elevates visible roles, yet Paseah’s account encourages recognition of behind-the-scenes faithfulness.
2. Honor Generational Faith: Recording lineage is not antiquated sentimentality but acknowledgment that God works through households. Discipling children and grandchildren remains vital kingdom work.
3. Rebuild Together: Just as Joiada enlisted with others to fortify Jerusalem, the contemporary church must unite across demographics to advance Gospel witness in both spiritual and practical arenas.
Key Verse for Reflection
“Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they built it and installed its doors with their bolts and bars.” (Nehemiah 3:6)
The brief biblical footprint of Paseah thus magnifies a God who remembers names, redeems families, and assigns meaningful service to every willing heart.
Forms and Transliterations
פָּסֵ֔חַ פָסֵ֖חַ פָסֵֽחַ׃ פסח פסח׃ faSeach pā·sê·aḥ p̄ā·sê·aḥ paSeach pāsêaḥ p̄āsêaḥ
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