Jozabad יוֹזָבָד
A Manassite leader who joined David at Ziklag
Who is Jozabad in the Bible?
Jozabad was a Manassite leader who joined David at Ziklag during David's conflict with King Saul, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 12:20. He was one of several mighty men of valor from the tribe of Manasseh who deserted Saul's army to support David when David returned to Ziklag after being dismissed by the Philistine commanders. Along with other Manassite leaders including Adnah, Michael, Jediael, Elihu, and Zillethai, Jozabad provided crucial military support to David during this period of exile and conflict. A Levite named Jozabad, son of Jeshua, also appears in the biblical record as a man involved in weighing temple treasures (Ezra 8:33 and 1 Esdras 8:63), though this may be a different individual. These figures demonstrate the loyalty and military strength that gathered around David during his struggle for the throne.
Biography
Jozabad is one of two men of that name in 1Ch.12.20 who were leaders from the tribe of Manasseh who joined David at Ziklag. The context of the passage is the listing of the warriors who allied themselves with David during his time of exile and conflict with King Saul (1Ch.12.1-22).
When David was returning to Ziklag, after being dismissed by the Philistine commanders who were suspicious of his loyalty, several Manassite leaders deserted Saul's army and joined David (1Ch.12.19-20). Jozabad is named among these leaders, along with Adnah, Michael, Jediael, Elihu, and Zillethai (1Ch.12.20).
These Manassite leaders were described as mighty men of valor and commanders in the army (1Ch.12.21). They provided significant military support to David, helping him in his raids against the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, who had attacked and plundered Ziklag (1Ch.12.21; 1Sa.30.1-20).
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 12:20
"When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹזָבָד |
Jozabad
is named with the Benjamites, but possibly he was a native of the town Gedara in Southern Judah. See Curtis, Chronicles, 196.
(2), (3) Two Manassite captains who joined David at Ziklag (1Ch 12:20 (Hebrew 21)).
(4) A Levite overseer in Hezekiah's time (2Ch 31:13); may be the ancestor of the chief of the priests in 2Ch 35:9 = "Joram" of 1 Esdras 1:9.
(5) A Levite (Ezr 8:33), mentioned again probably in Ezr 10:23; Ne 8:7; 11:16. The name in 1 Esdras 8:63 ( = Ezr 8:33) is "Josabdus" (the King James Version "Josabad").
(6) A priest who had married a foreign wife Ezr 10:22) = "Ocidelus" of 1 Esdras 9:22.
(1) Son of Jeshua the Levite (1 Esdras 8:63), called "Jozabad" in Ezr 8:33.
(2) Son of Bebai (1 Esdras 9:29), called "Zabbai" in <ref osisRef="