Jedaiah יְדַעְיָה
Returned exile who provided silver and gold for crowns
Who is Jedaiah in the Bible?
Jedaiah was a returned exile from Babylon who played a symbolic role in one of Zechariah's messianic prophecies. According to Zechariah 6:10 and 6:14, Jedaiah, along with Heldai and Tobijah, provided silver and gold that the prophet Zechariah used to fashion crowns for Joshua the high priest. In this prophetic act, the crowns placed on Joshua's head pointed forward to the coming Messiah, described as "the Branch," who would unite the roles of both priest and king and rebuild the Lord's temple. The crowns were then preserved in the temple as a memorial to these three men, making Jedaiah part of an important symbolic gesture about Israel's messianic hopes during the post-exilic period.
Biography
Jedaiah is mentioned in Zec.6.10 and Zec.6.14 as one of the returned exiles who provided silver and gold for the crowns that were to be placed on the head of Joshua, the high priest. In a symbolic act, Zechariah was instructed to take silver and gold from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who had recently arrived from Babylon. The prophet was to make crowns from the precious metals and set them on Joshua's head, signifying the coming of the Branch (the Messiah) who would build the temple of the Lord and rule as both priest and king. The crowns were to be kept in the temple as a memorial to Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah. This prophetic act emphasizes the importance of the priesthood and the anticipation of the Messiah's coming, who would fulfill the roles of both priest and king.
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 | יְדַעְיָה |