bil´shan ( בּלשׁן , bilshān ): An Israelite who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2 = Nehemiah 7:7 ). The name may be explained as "inquirer" (new Hebrew and Aramaic), בלשׁ , bālash , the (ב "b" being an abbreviation of בּן , ben , as in בּדקר , bidhḳar , and בּמהל , bimhāl ̌ . Bilshan would then be a compound of בּן , ben , and לשון , lāshōn ̌ . J. Halévy (Revue études juives , X, 3) translates the name "père de la langue," אב לשׁון , 'abh lāshōn ̌ . In 1 Esdras 5:8, he is called "Beelsarus," which is akin to the form "Belshar" = "Belshar -uṣṣur " or "O Bel, protect the king." Bilshan points to "Belšun ," "his lord." The rabbis take Bilshan as a surname to the preceding Mordecai.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
Read More