Heldai חֶלְדַּי
A returned exile who helped crown Joshua.
Who is Heldai in the Bible?
Heldai, also known as Helem, was a returned exile from Babylon mentioned in Zechariah 6:10. Along with Tobijah and Jedaiah, he came from Babylon and stayed at the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah during the period of temple reconstruction in Jerusalem. Heldai contributed silver and gold to create a crown for Joshua the high priest, an act that held messianic significance by symbolizing a future ruler who would combine both priestly and kingly authority (Zechariah 6:10, 14). His participation in this symbolic crowning demonstrates the faith of the returned exiles in God's promise of a coming Messiah during the post-exilic restoration period.
Biography
Heldai, also known as Helem, was one of the returned exiles mentioned in the book of Zechariah. He, along with Tobijah and Jedaiah, came from Babylon and stayed at the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah provided silver and gold to make a crown for Joshua the high priest, symbolizing the Messiah who would be both priest and king (Zec.6.10,14). This event took place during the time of the prophet Zechariah, who encouraged the people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. (Zec.6.10,14).
In Scripture
1 biblical bookZechariah 2 verses
- Zechariah 6:10
"“Take an offering from the exiles—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon—and go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah."
- Zechariah 6:14
"The crown will reside in the temple of the LORD as a memorial to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and the gracious son of Zephaniah."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חֶלְדַּי |
| Named | Hebrew | חֵ֫לֶם |
Heldai
.11.30">1Ch 11:30), and is probably also to be identified with Heleb, son of Baanah the Metophathite, one of David's heroic leaders (2Sa 23:29).
(2) One of a company of Jews who brought gifts of gold and silver from Babylon to assist the exiles under Zerubbabel (Zec 6:10).
he'-leb chelebh, 2Sa 23:29).
See HELDAI.
he'-led (cheledh, 1Ch 11:30<