Hakkoz הַקוֹץ
A post-exilic priest whose descendants were excluded from the priesthood.
Who is Hakkoz in the Bible?
Hakkoz was a priest who returned from the Babylonian exile and is mentioned in Ezra 2:61 and Nehemiah 7:63. When the genealogies of the returning priests were examined, the descendants of Hakkoz were unable to prove their priestly lineage and were therefore considered ritually unclean. As a result, they were excluded from serving as priests and forbidden to eat from the most holy offerings until a priest with the Urim and Thummim could resolve their status. This case illustrates the strict genealogical requirements for priesthood in post-exilic Israel and the challenge of maintaining accurate records after the trauma of exile.
Biography
Hakkoz is mentioned in Ezr.2.61 and Neh.7.63 as one of the priests who returned from the Babylonian exile. However, when the genealogies of the priests were examined, the descendants of Hakkoz were unable to prove their priestly lineage. As a result, they were considered unclean and were excluded from serving as priests. The governor ordered them not to eat from the most holy things until a priest with the Urim and Thummim could resolve the matter. The Urim and Thummim were sacred objects used to determine the will of God. The fact that the descendants of Hakkoz could not provide clear genealogical records suggests that their priestly lineage may have been lost or compromised during the exile.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:61
"And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name)."
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Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:63
"And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name)."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | הַקוֹץ |