Introduction:
Melah is a biblical figure mentioned in the context of the return of the exiles to Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity. The name appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Ezra, which details the efforts to rebuild the temple and restore the community of Israel in their homeland.

Biblical Reference:
Melah is mentioned in Ezra 2:52, which is part of a genealogical list of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem and Judah. The verse reads: "the descendants of Bazluth, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha, the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah, the descendants of Neziah, and the descendants of Hatipha." . In this context, Melah is listed among the descendants of the temple servants who returned with Zerubbabel.

Historical Context:
The book of Ezra records the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity, an event that took place around 538 B.C. under the decree of Cyrus the Great, the Persian king. This return was significant for the Jewish people as it marked the beginning of the restoration of their religious and national identity. The temple servants, including those associated with Melah, played a crucial role in the reestablishment of temple worship and the community's spiritual life.

Role and Significance:
The temple servants, or Nethinim, were a group assigned to assist the Levites in the service of the temple. Although not of Levitical descent, they were dedicated to the work of the temple and were essential in maintaining the daily operations and rituals. The mention of Melah in the genealogical records underscores the importance of every group and individual in the collective effort to restore the worship and practices central to Jewish life.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the inclusion of Melah and other temple servants in the biblical narrative highlights the theme of restoration and redemption. It reflects God's faithfulness in preserving His people and fulfilling His promises, even through exile and hardship. The return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the temple symbolize a renewal of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Conclusion:
While Melah is a relatively obscure figure, the mention of his name in the genealogical records of Ezra serves as a testament to the collective effort and diverse contributions of the Jewish people in reestablishing their community and worship. It reminds believers of the importance of every individual's role in the larger narrative of God's redemptive plan.8528. Tel Melach -- "mound of salt," a place in Babylon
... "mound of salt," a place in Babylon. Transliteration: Tel Melach Phonetic Spelling:
(tale meh'-lakh) Short Definition: Tel-melah. ... NASB Word Usage Tel-melah (2). ...
/hebrew/8528.htm - 6k

Footnotes
... having been now for many years an Ebionite Christian, had learned this interpretation
of the law of Moses from Christ, whom he owned for the true Melah, as it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the life of flavius josephus/footnotes.htm

Melah (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Melah (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:59 These were those
who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan ...
/m/melah.htm - 7k

Tel-melah (2 Occurrences)
Tel-melah. Telmelah, Tel-melah. Tel-me'lah . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hill of ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TEL-MELAH. tel-me ...
/t/tel-melah.htm - 7k

Tel-me'lah (2 Occurrences)
Tel-me'lah. Tel-melah, Tel-me'lah. Tema . Multi-Version Concordance
Tel-me'lah (2 Occurrences). ... Tel-melah, Tel-me'lah. Tema . Reference Bible.
/t/tel-me'lah.htm - 7k

Telmelah (2 Occurrences)
... TEL-MELAH. tel-me'-la (tel-melah, "hill of salt"): A Babylonian town mentioned in
Ezra 2:59 Nehemiah 7:61 with Tel-harsha and Cherub (see TEL-HARSHA). ...
/t/telmelah.htm - 7k

Kerub (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:59 These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan,
and Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed ...
/k/kerub.htm - 6k

Immer (10 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:59 These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan,
and Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed ...
/i/immer.htm - 10k

Tel-har'sha (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:59 And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan,
and Immer; but they could not tell their fathers' houses, and their seed ...
/t/tel-har'sha.htm - 7k

Tel-harsha (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:59 And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan,
'and' Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed ...
/t/tel-harsha.htm - 7k

Tel (5 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:59 These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan,
and Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed ...
/t/tel.htm - 8k

Addon (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:59 And these were they that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan,
and Immer; but they could not tell their fathers' houses, and their seed ...
/a/addon.htm - 7k

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