1152. Besodeyah
Lexical Summary
Besodeyah: Besodeiah

Original Word: בְּסוֹדְיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Bcowdyah
Pronunciation: beh-so-deh-yah
Phonetic Spelling: (bes-o-deh-yaw')
KJV: Besodeiah
NASB: Besodeiah
Word Origin: [from H5475 (סוֹד - council) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD) with prepositional prefix]

1. in (the) counsel of Jehovah
2. Besodejah, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Besodeiah

From cowd and Yahh with prepositional prefix; in (the) counsel of Jehovah; Besodejah, an Israelite -- Besodeiah.

see HEBREW cowd

see HEBREW Yahh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
an Isr.
NASB Translation
Besodeiah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
בְּסוֺדְיָה֑ proper name, masculine (? in the secret of Yah) Israelite in Nehemiah's time Nehemiah 3:6.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Meaning

Besodeiah is a personal name that intertwines “counsel” with the covenant name of the Lord, suggesting “under the counsel of Yahweh.” The form itself hints at intimate fellowship with God’s purposes, a quality reflected in the rebuilding narrative in which the name appears.

Biblical Occurrence

Nehemiah 3:6 records a single appearance: “Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars” (Berean Standard Bible). Besodeiah is mentioned only as the father of Meshullam, yet even this brief notice situates him in a pivotal chapter of redemptive history—the restoration of Jerusalem’s walls after the exile.

Historical Context

The year is roughly 445 B.C. Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, has gained royal permission to fortify Jerusalem. Chapter 3 itemizes the labor crews working side by side along the wall. Meshullam son of Besodeiah partners with Joiada son of Paseah at the Old Gate (sometimes called the Jeshanah Gate), a strategic entrance on Jerusalem’s northwestern side. This gate guarded the approach from Samaria and other potential adversaries, so its repair was militarily essential and symbolically charged; the people were reclaiming both security and identity.

Although Besodeiah himself is not said to have wielded hammer or nail, the mention of his paternity embeds him in the public record. In a culture where genealogy carried theological weight, the appearance of his name affirms that the restoration was more than a civic undertaking—it was a covenant reclamation in which whole families were represented.

Theological and Ministerial Significance

1. Covenant Legacy. Besodeiah’s name, joined to “Yahweh,” reminds readers that the wall-builders were acting in accord with, and under the counsel of, the Lord. The work was not merely political; it was liturgical, a lived confession that Jerusalem belonged to God.
2. Generational Participation. The brief line connects father and son in service. Scripture repeatedly shows the faith handed down (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:5). Besodeiah’s spiritual influence is implied in Meshullam’s willing labor.
3. Hidden Yet Essential Service. Many workers in Nehemiah 3 receive only a single mention. Their anonymity underscores that God records faithfulness, not fame. 1 Corinthians 12:22 reminds the church that “the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”

Lessons for the Church Today

• Labor in God’s counsel. Planning is valid, but Proverbs 19:21 cautions, “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.” Christian ministry flourishes when undertaken in prayerful alignment with divine counsel.
• Honor unseen contributors. Besodeiah’s quiet role illustrates that Kingdom advance depends on many whose names rarely surface. Congregations should celebrate unseen intercessors, donors, and servants whose obedience strengthens the mission.
• Pass the torch of service. Meshullam’s zeal testifies to formative influence at home. Churches strengthen future ministry by discipling parents as spiritual mentors.
• Guard the “Old Gate.” The wall’s restoration parallels safeguarding historic doctrines and moral boundaries. Jude 1:3 urges believers to “contend for the faith once for all entrusted to the saints,” balancing vigilance with hospitality.

Related Scripture Themes

Psalm 33:11—“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.”

Psalm 127:1—“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”

Isaiah 58:12—“You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

Ephesians 2:20-22—Christ builds His church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with believers “being built together into a dwelling place for God.”

Through a single mention in Nehemiah, Besodeiah reminds readers that every faithful life—named or unnamed—finds lasting significance when it stands in the counsel of the Lord.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה בסודיה bə·sō·wḏ·yāh besodYah bəsōwḏyāh
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Nehemiah 3:6
HEB: וּמְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּן־ בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה הֵ֣מָּה קֵר֔וּהוּ
NAS: the son of Besodeiah repaired
KJV: the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams
INT: and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah they laid

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1152
1 Occurrence


bə·sō·wḏ·yāh — 1 Occ.

1151
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