Pedaiah פְּדָיָהוּ
Levite who assisted Ezra in reading the Law
Who is Pedaiah in the Bible?
Pedaiah was a Levite who assisted Ezra during the public reading of the Law in Jerusalem after the completion of the city wall (Nehemiah 8:4). When the people gathered in the square before the Water Gate, Pedaiah stood alongside Ezra and other leaders on a high wooden platform to help present this significant religious moment. As a Levite, his presence indicates that members of the priestly tribe played an active role in teaching and interpreting God's Law to the community. This scene demonstrates the collaborative effort required to communicate Scripture to the people and highlights the Levites' responsibility in spiritual instruction during the post-exilic restoration period.
Biography
Pedaiah was a Levite who assisted Ezra when he read the Law to the people in Jerusalem, according to Neh.8.4. After the completion of the wall, the people gathered in the square before the Water Gate to hear Ezra read from the Book of the Law. Ezra stood on a high wooden platform along with several others, including Pedaiah. The presence of Levites like Pedaiah suggests that they had a role in teaching and interpreting the Law to the people.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentNehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 8:4
"Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for this occasion. At his right side stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and at his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | פְּדָיָהוּ |