Hodaviah הוֹדַוְיָה
A Levite who returned from exile.
Who is Hodaviah in the Bible?
Hodaviah was a Levite who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity under the leadership of Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua, as recorded in Ezra 2:40 and Nehemiah 7:43. Also known as Hodevah or Judah, he was among the temple assistants whose return marked the beginning of Jewish restoration after exile. In Ezra 3:9, Hodaviah is mentioned as one of the Levites who participated in laying the foundation of the rebuilt temple, playing a vital role in reestablishing temple worship. His presence among the returning exiles underscores the spiritual significance of rebuilding the temple and the essential function of the Levites in Israel's restored religious life.
Biography
Hodaviah, also known as Hodevah or Judah, is mentioned in Ezr.2.40, Neh.7.43, and Ezr.3.9 as one of the Levites who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. The Levites were the tribe responsible for assisting the priests in the temple service and worship.
In Ezr.2.40 and Neh.7.43, Hodaviah is listed among the Levites who returned with Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest. The list of returnees demonstrates the importance of reestablishing the temple worship and the role of the Levites in this process.
In Ezr.3.9, Hodaviah (under the name Judah) is mentioned as one of the Levites who assisted in laying the foundation of the temple. Along with his fellow Levites, Hodaviah played a crucial role in the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of worship in Jerusalem.
The variations in the name (Hodaviah, Hodevah, and Judah) may indicate different spellings or pronunciations used in the biblical text, but they all refer to the same individual.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 2 with study contentEzra 2 verses
- Ezra 2:40
"The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel (through the line of Hodaviah), 74."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 3:9
"So Jeshua and his sons and brothers, Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Yehudah), and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together to supervise those working on the house of God."
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:43
"The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodevah), 74."
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | הוֹדַוְיָה | — | — |
| Named | Hebrew | הוֹדְיָה | — | — |
| Named | Hebrew | יְהוּדָה | yĕhûdāh | Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory |