Lexical Summary Hodevah or Hodeyah: Hodevah or Hodeyah Original Word: הוֹדְוָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hodevah A form of Howdavyah; Hodevah (or Hodevjah), an Israelite -- Hodevah. see HEBREW Howdavyah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as hod Definition a Levitical family NASB Translation Hodevah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs הודוה Kt, חוֺדְיָה Qr, proper name, masculine only in ׳בְּנֵי לְה Nehemiah 7:43 of a Levitical family; = הוֺדַוְיָה Ezra 2:40 q. v. below ידה. הוֺדְיָה Qr Nehemiah 7:43 see הודוה above Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences 1 Chronicles 3:24; Nehemiah 7:43 Chronicles Context – A Link in the Davidic Line In the post-exilic genealogy of David (1 Chronicles 3:17-24), Hodaviah is listed among the seven sons of Elioenai. The placement is strategic: after the exile the Chronicler records every surviving branch of David’s house, underscoring the preservation of the royal line in spite of judgment and dispersion. Hodaviah’s inclusion testifies that God’s covenant promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) remained intact. The genealogy ends with “seven in all,” a literary signal of completeness; Hodaviah helps bring the line to that divinely ordained fullness. Nehemiah Context – A Levitical Sub-Clan among the Returnees Nehemiah 7:43 counts “the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, the sons of Hodaviah, seventy-four.” These Levites appear in the census of those who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls and re-establish temple worship. Their presence affirms that priestly ministry was reconstituted with proper lineage verification (compare Ezra 2:59-63). The relatively small number (seventy-four) highlights the remnant principle: God accomplishes His purposes through those who respond obediently, not through numerical strength. Name Significance in Biblical Theology Although the lexical data are treated elsewhere, the very composition of the name pairs divine majesty with praise. Every time the name surfaces it silently proclaims that God’s splendor is acknowledged by His people. In the Davidic genealogy it underscores royal dignity; in the Levitical register it connects worship leaders to their calling of adoration. Continuity between Royal and Priestly Lines The two occurrences, though separated by book, era, and tribal affiliation, share a theological thread: preservation. One Hodaviah secures the continuity of the messianic line; the other secures the continuity of temple service. Royal promise and priestly worship advance side by side, foreshadowing the ultimate union of kingship and priesthood in the Messiah (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17). Ministry Implications 1. Genealogies Matter: Scripture’s careful record-keeping validates the historicity of redemption. Ministries today honor that precision by cherishing Scripture’s details. Later Jewish Memory Rabbinic sources regard the Hodaviah group as exemplars of authorized Levitical descent, often cited when discussing the legitimacy of post-exilic temple personnel. Though minor figures, they provide a touchstone for debates on purity and succession that endured into Second Temple Judaism. Summary Hodaviah surfaces briefly yet meaningfully, anchoring the survival of David’s house and the restoration of Levitical ministry. Together the two references affirm God’s unwavering commitment to preserve both covenant and worship, pointing forward to their consummation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations הֹודַוְיָ֡הוּ הודויהו לְהוֹדְוָ֖ה להודוה hō·w·ḏaw·yā·hū hodavYahu hōwḏawyāhū lə·hō·wḏ·wāh lehodVah ləhōwḏwāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 3:24 HEB: [הֹדַיְוָהוּ כ] (הֹודַוְיָ֡הוּ ק) וְאֶלְיָשִׁ֡יב INT: the sons of Elioenai Hodevah Eliashib Pelaiah Nehemiah 7:43 2 Occurrences |
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