Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:The name Jedaiah is of Hebrew origin, meaning "Yahweh has known" or "Yahweh knows." This name reflects a common theme in Hebrew nomenclature, emphasizing the omniscience and personal relationship of God with His people.
Biblical References:Jedaiah is a name that appears several times in the Old Testament, associated with different individuals, primarily within the context of the priesthood and the return from the Babylonian exile.
1.
Jedaiah the Priest: Jedaiah is mentioned as one of the priests who returned from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. In the book of Nehemiah, he is listed among the priests who helped to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 12:6 states, "These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua." This Jedaiah is part of the priestly lineage, serving in the temple and playing a role in the restoration of worship in Jerusalem.
2.
Jedaiah, Head of a Priestly Family: In
1 Chronicles 9:10, Jedaiah is noted as a head of a priestly family: "From the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin." This reference places him among the prominent families responsible for maintaining the temple services and rituals, highlighting the continuity of priestly duties from the time of King David through the post-exilic period.
3.
Jedaiah in the Division of Priests: The division of priests under King David's organization is mentioned in
1 Chronicles 24:7, where Jedaiah is listed as the head of the second division: "The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah." This division of labor ensured that the temple services were conducted in an orderly and systematic manner, with each family serving at appointed times.
4.
Jedaiah in the Book of Ezra:Ezra 2:36-39 records the return of the priests, including Jedaiah, from exile: "The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the house of Jeshua), 973." This passage underscores the faithfulness of the priestly families in returning to Jerusalem to restore the temple and its services, fulfilling their covenantal responsibilities.
Historical and Theological Significance:Jedaiah's repeated mention in the context of the priesthood and the return from exile highlights the importance of the priestly role in Israel's religious and communal life. The priests were not only responsible for conducting sacrifices and maintaining the temple but also for teaching the Law and guiding the people in their spiritual lives. Jedaiah's inclusion in these records reflects the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and the restoration of proper worship after the exile.
Theologically, the name Jedaiah, meaning "Yahweh knows," serves as a reminder of God's intimate knowledge and care for His people. It emphasizes the personal relationship between God and the individuals He calls to serve Him, as well as His sovereign oversight of history and the fulfillment of His promises.
Cultural Context:In the ancient Near Eastern context, names were often given with the hope of reflecting the character or destiny of the individual. The name Jedaiah, therefore, not only identifies a person but also conveys a theological truth about God's nature and His relationship with His people. The role of the priests, including those named Jedaiah, was central to maintaining the cultural and religious identity of Israel, especially during times of upheaval and restoration.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Jedaiahthe hand of the Lord; confessing the Lord
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jedaiah(praise Jehovah).
- Head of the second course of priests, as they were divided in the time of David. (1 Chronicles 24:7) (B.C. 1014.) some of them survived to return to Jerusalem after the Babylonish captivity, as appears from (Ezra 2:36;Nehemiah 7:39)
- A priest in the time of Jeshua the high priest. (Zechariah 6:10,14) (B.C. 536.)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Invoker of Jehovah. The son of Shimri, a chief Simeonite (1 Chronicles 4:37).
(2.) One of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem after the return from Babylon (Nehemiah 3:10).
(3.) Knowing Jehovah. The chief of one of the courses of the priests (1 Chronicles 24:7).
(4.) A priest in Jerusalem after the Exile (1 Chronicles 9:10).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JEDAIAHje-da'-ya, je-di'-a:
(1) (yedha`yah, "Yah knows"):
(a) A priest in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:10;1 Chronicles 24:7).
(b)Ezra 2:36 =Nehemiah 7:39, where "children of Jedaiah" are mentioned = "Jeddu" in 1 Esdras 5:24.
(c) Jedaiah is among "the priests and the Levites" that returned with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 11:10;Nehemiah 12:6, 19).
(d) Another priest of the same name (Nehemiah 12:7, 21).
(e) One of the exiles whom Zechariah was commanded to send with silver and gold to Jerusalem. Septuagint does not take the word as a proper name (Zechariah 6:10, 14)
(2) (yedhayah, "Yah throws" (?)):
(a) Father of a Simeonite prince (1 Chronicles 4:37).
(b) One of the repairers of the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:10).
David Francis Roberts
Strong's Hebrew
3042. Yedayah -- perhaps "praised by Yah," two Israelites... perhaps "praised by Yah," two Israelites. Transliteration: Yedayah Phonetic Spelling:
(yed-aw-yaw') Short Definition:
Jedaiah.
... NASB Word Usage
Jedaiah (2).
...3048. Yedayah -- "Yah has known," the name of several Israelites
... Yedayah. 3049 . "Yah has known," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration:
Yedayah Phonetic Spelling: (yed-ah-yaw') Short Definition:Jedaiah....Jedaiah....
Library
Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... porch, and by them the young priests mounted, to look at the crowns, as it is written:
"And crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and toJedaiah, and to...
Thesaurus
Jedaiah (13 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
JEDAIAH.
... (c)
Jedaiah is among "the priests and
the Levites" that returned with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 11:10; Nehemiah 12:6, 19).
...Jedaiah's (2 Occurrences)
...Jedaiah's (2 Occurrences). Nehemiah 12:19 and of Joiarib, Mattenai; ofJedaiah,
Uzzi; (See NIV). Nehemiah 12:21 of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; ofJedaiah, Nethanel....
Jedai'ah (13 Occurrences)
Jedai'ah.Jedaiah, Jedai'ah.Jedaiah's . Multi-Version Concordance... 1 Chronicles
9:10 And of the priests:Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin; (See RSV)....
Jehoiarib (2 Occurrences)
... 19. In Nehemiah 11:10 we should probably read "Jedaiah and Joiarib" for
"Jedaiah the son of Joiarib" (compare 1 Chronicles 9:10)....
Uzzi (11 Occurrences)
... (6.) The head of the house ofJedaiah, one of "the chief of the priests" (Nehemiah
12:19).... (6) Head of the priestly family ofJedaiah (Nehemiah 12:19, 42)....
Joi'arib (5 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Nehemiah 11:10 Of the priests:Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, (See
RSV). Nehemiah 12:6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib,Jedaiah; (See RSV)....
Joiarib (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 11:10 Of the priests:Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, (WEB KJV JPS
ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Nehemiah 12:6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib,Jedaiah....
Jeshua (30 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:36 The priests: the children ofJedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred
seventy-three.... Nehemiah 12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah,Jedaiah....
Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 6:10 to take of the captivity (who came from Babylon) from Heldai, from
Tobijah, and fromJedaiah, 'and thou hast come in -- thou, in that day, yea...
Jeddu
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JEDDU. jed'-oo (Ieddou): CalledJEDAIAH
(which see 1, (b)) in canonical books (1 Esdras 5:24)....
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