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Ater

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âš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Ater is identified in the biblical texts as an ancestor of a family that returned from Babylonian captivity under Zerubbabel and as the head of a family of porters who also returned to Jerusalem.

What is the meaning of Ater in the Bible?

Ater is identified in the biblical texts as an ancestor of a family that returned from Babylonian captivity under Zerubbabel and as the head of a family of porters who also returned to Jerusalem.

SIGNIFICANCE

Identifying Ater helps readers understand the specific social structure and lineage of the returning exiles, illustrating how families and occupational groups were organized during the restoration period.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Ater reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Ater in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Ater clarify?

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

"Ater." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ater/
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