1937. Hodevah or Hodeyah
Lexical Summary
Hodevah or Hodeyah: Hodevah or Hodeyah

Original Word: הוֹדְוָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Howdvah
Pronunciation: ho-de-vah or ho-de-yah
Phonetic Spelling: (ho-dev-aw')
KJV: Hodevah
NASB: Hodevah
Word Origin: [a form of H1938 (הוֹדַויָה - Hodaviah)]

1. Hodevah (or Hodevjah), an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Hodevah

A form of Howdavyah; Hodevah (or Hodevjah), an Israelite -- Hodevah.

see HEBREW Howdavyah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from 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.
2. Remnant Faithfulness: The seventy-four Levites remind churches that God values fidelity over size. A handful of dedicated servants can revive worship in an entire community.
3. Worship as Witness: The name embodies praise; those who bear it model a life oriented toward God’s glory. Believers are called to the same posture, proclaiming His “excellence” (1 Peter 2:9) in both heritage and service.

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 ləhōwḏwāh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 3:24
HEB: [הֹדַיְוָהוּ כ] (הֹודַוְיָ֡הוּ ק) וְאֶלְיָשִׁ֡יב
INT: the sons of Elioenai Hodevah Eliashib Pelaiah

Nehemiah 7:43
HEB: לְקַדְמִיאֵ֛ל לִבְנֵ֥י לְהוֹדְוָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָֽה׃
NAS: of Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodevah, 74
KJV: [and] of the children of Hodevah, seventy
INT: of Kadmiel the children of Hodevah seventy and four

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1937
2 Occurrences


hō·w·ḏaw·yā·hū — 1 Occ.
lə·hō·wḏ·wāh — 1 Occ.

1936
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