Jedaiah יְדַעְיָה
Head of a priestly division during David's reign
Who is Jedaiah in the Bible?
Jedaiah was the head of the second priestly division during King David's reign, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 24:7. David organized the priests into twenty-four divisions to ensure systematic and orderly temple service, and Jedaiah's line held an important place in this rotation. His descendants maintained their priestly role across generations and are specifically mentioned among those who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile in Ezra 2:36 and Nehemiah 7:39. The continued service of Jedaiah's family through exile and restoration demonstrates the enduring significance of the priestly lineage in maintaining Jewish worship and temple service throughout Israel's history.
Biography
Jedaiah is mentioned in 1Ch.24.7 as the head of the second priestly division during the reign of King David. David organized the priests into twenty-four divisions to ensure a systematic and orderly approach to temple service. Jedaiah's division was the second to serve in the temple rotation. In Ezr.2.36 and Neh.7.39, the descendants of Jedaiah are listed among the priests who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile. This indicates that Jedaiah's family continued to serve as priests throughout the generations, even during the exile. The return of Jedaiah's descendants highlights the continuity of the priestly lineage and the importance of the temple service in the restoration of Jewish worship after the exile.
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 2 with study content1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 24:7
"The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,"
Ezra 1 verse
- Ezra 2:36
"The priests: The descendants of Jedaiah (through the house of Jeshua), 973;"
Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 7:39
"The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the house of Jeshua), 973;"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יְדַעְיָה |
Jedaiah
.36">Ezr 2:36 = Ne 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 (Ne 11:10; 12:6,19).
(d) Another priest of the same name (Ne 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 (Zec 6:10,14)
(2) (yedhayah, "Yah throws" (?)):
(a) Father of a Simeonite prince (1Ch 4:37).
(b) One of the repairers of the wall of Jerusalem (Ne 3:10).
David Francis Roberts
jed'-oo (Ieddou): Called JEDAIAH (which see 1, (b)) in canonical books (1 Esdras 5:24).
je-de'-us (Iedaios): Called A