Jozadak יוֹצָדָק
A priest whose descendants married foreign women
Who is Jozadak in the Bible?
Jozadak was a priest whose descendants are mentioned in Ezra 10:18 as having married foreign women during the post-exilic period. In the context of Ezra's religious reforms, some of the priests descended from Jozadak were identified among those who had violated the command against intermarriage with the surrounding pagan nations. As part of the covenant renewal under Ezra's leadership, these priests agreed to separate from their foreign wives and children, demonstrating the community's commitment to maintaining religious and cultural separation during the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. Jozadak's descendants thus became significant figures in illustrating the internal struggles the post-exilic community faced in adhering to covenant requirements.
Biography
Jozadak is mentioned in Ezr.10.18 in the context of the priests who had married foreign women during the post-exilic period. The passage is part of Ezra's reforms and his efforts to address the issue of intermarriage between the Israelites and the pagan peoples of the land (Ezra 9-10).
In the list of priests who had married foreign women, some of the descendants of Jozadak are mentioned (Ezr.10.18). This indicates that even among the priestly families, there were those who had violated the commandment to refrain from intermarrying with the surrounding nations (Deu.7.3-4).
As part of the covenant made under Ezra's leadership, these priests agreed to put away their foreign wives and children (Ezr.10.19). This event underscores the importance of maintaining religious and cultural purity among the Israelites, particularly in the post-exilic period when they were re-establishing their identity and covenant relationship with God.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:18
"Among the descendants of the priests who had married foreign women were found these descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יוֹצָדָק |