Bible Dictionary
Ater
Ater was the name of families who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. One family was associated with Hezekiah, and another served among the temple porters.
Definition
Ater, meaning “bound,” “shut,” or “lame,” was the name of families whose members returned from Babylon. One family was associated with Hezekiah, and another was composed of temple porters.
Biblical Usage
Ater is listed among the returned exiles in Ezra and Nehemiah. One family numbered ninety-eight persons, while another served as porters.
Historical Background
The name appears with variant forms, including Aterezias and Ater of Ezekias or Hezekiah.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Shut; lame. (1.) Ezra 2:16. (2.) Neh. 10:17. (3.) Ezra 2:42.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(shut up).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a'-ter ('aTer, "bound" (?)):</p><p>(1) The ancestor of a family of 98 persons who returned from Babylonian captivity with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:16; Ne 7:21). the King James Version has "Ater of Hezekiah"; the Revised Version (British and American) of 1 Esdras 5:15 has "Ater of Ezekias," margin, "Ater of Hezekiah." the King James Version has "Aterezias."</p><p>(2) The head of a family of porters who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezr 2:42; Ne 7:45).</p>