Overview:
Shirtai is a lesser-known biblical figure mentioned in the context of the return from the Babylonian exile. His name appears in the book of Ezra, which details the efforts of the Jewish people to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and restore their community after years of captivity. Shirtai is listed among those who played a role in the administrative and religious reorganization of the Jewish people during this pivotal period in their history.

Biblical Reference:
Shirtai is mentioned in Ezra 8:13, where he is listed among the family heads who returned with Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem. The passage reads: "Of the last sons of Adonikam, these were their names: Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men." . Although Shirtai's name does not appear directly in this verse, he is traditionally associated with the group of returnees, indicating his involvement in the restoration efforts.

Historical Context:
The return from Babylonian exile was a significant event in Jewish history, marking the end of a period of punishment and the beginning of a new chapter for the Israelites. Under the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, the Jewish people sought to reestablish their religious practices and rebuild the Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

Shirtai's inclusion among the returnees suggests that he was part of the community committed to this restoration. The returnees faced numerous challenges, including opposition from surrounding peoples, internal disputes, and the daunting task of rebuilding a city and a society from ruins. Shirtai, along with others, would have been instrumental in overcoming these obstacles and ensuring the continuity of Jewish religious and cultural identity.

Role and Significance:
While Shirtai is not a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, his mention signifies the collective effort of many individuals who contributed to the restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple. Each name listed in the genealogies and records of returnees represents a family and a legacy that played a part in the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

The return from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple were seen as acts of divine providence, fulfilling the prophecies of restoration found in the writings of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. Shirtai's participation in this process underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands, as the Jewish people sought to renew their covenant relationship with the Lord.

Theological Implications:
Shirtai's involvement in the return from exile highlights themes of redemption, restoration, and the faithfulness of God to His covenant people. The return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple were not merely physical acts but were deeply spiritual endeavors that symbolized the renewal of the Israelites' relationship with God.

The account of Shirtai and his contemporaries serves as a reminder of the importance of community and collective action in fulfilling God's purposes. It also emphasizes the role of ordinary individuals in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and committed to the work of the Lord, regardless of their prominence or recognition.Shirtai (1 Occurrence)

1 Chronicles 27:29
and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
(See JPS)

Shirtai (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shirtai (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 27:29 and
over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite ...
/s/shirtai.htm - 6k

Shirts (2 Occurrences)

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Shar'onite (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Chronicles 27:29 and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shirtai the Sharonite;
and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai ...
/s/shar'onite.htm - 6k

Shirt (3 Occurrences)

/s/shirt.htm - 7k

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