Jozabad יוֹזָבָד
A Levite who helped explain the Law to the people
Who is Jozabad in the Bible?
Jozabad was a Levite who played an important role in helping the Jewish people understand the Law of Moses during the public reading led by Ezra (Nehemiah 8:7). After the Israelites returned from Babylonian exile, Jozabad and other Levites stood with the people during the Feast of Tabernacles and explained the meaning of the Law as Ezra read it aloud (Nehemiah 8:7-8). Since many people had spent years in captivity and were unfamiliar with Hebrew, Jozabad's work in translating and clarifying the text was essential for their comprehension. His service as a teacher and interpreter of Scripture was part of the broader spiritual renewal effort that helped restore the covenant relationship between God and his people upon their return from exile.
Biography
Jozabad is mentioned in Neh.8.7 as one of the Levites who helped the people understand the Law of Moses as it was being read aloud by Ezra. The context of the passage is the public reading of the Law during the Feast of Tabernacles, after the Israelites had returned from Babylonian exile (Neh.8.1-18).
As Ezra read from the Book of the Law, the Levites, including Jozabad, instructed the people and helped them understand the meaning of the text (Neh.8.7-8). This involved translating or explaining the Law, as many of the people may have been unfamiliar with the original Hebrew after years in exile.
The Levites' role in teaching and interpreting the Law was crucial for the spiritual renewal of the Israelites as they sought to re-establish their covenant relationship with God.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentNehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 8:7
"The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹזָבָד |