Lexical Summary Hodiyyah: Hodiah Original Word: הוֹדִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hodijah A form of Howdavyah; Hodijah, the name of three Israelites -- Hodijah. see HEBREW Howdavyah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as hod and from Yah Definition "my splendor is Yah," the name of several Isr. NASB Translation Hodiah (6). Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Hodiyah is a Levite whose very name (“Yahweh is my praise”) reflects the spirit of thanksgiving and confession that marks the post-exilic revival under Ezra and Nehemiah. The recurrence of the name in two closely linked scenes underscores how the Lord raised up men whose identity and vocation were inseparable from public worship and instruction in the Law. Biblical Occurrences Nehemiah 8:7 – “Also the Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as the people stood in their places.” Nehemiah 9:5 – “And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said: ‘Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting…’” Historical Setting The dates fall shortly after 444 B.C., when the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt and the nation gathered for covenant renewal (Nehemiah 8–10). The people, recently returned from exile, were spiritually hungry but biblically illiterate. The Levites became the God-ordained bridge between the freshly read Torah and the eager assembly. Hodiyah belonged to this cadre of men who translated, explained, and applied Scripture “so that the people could understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8). Liturgical and Teaching Ministry 1. Pedagogical Role (Nehemiah 8:7) 2. Call to Worship (Nehemiah 9:5) Theological Implications • Word-Centered Renewal The Lord re-establishes His people not merely by physical restoration (walls) but by spiritual reformation (Word). Hodiyah personifies this priority. Instruction was communal; Hodiyah stood “with” fellow Levites, modeling team ministry and mutual accountability (compare 1 Corinthians 3:9). The Levites’ blessing in Nehemiah 9:5 draws on earlier liturgical formulas (Psalm 41:13), affirming that the post-exilic community shared the same covenant account as their forefathers. Lessons for Contemporary Ministry 1. Exposition and Explanation Faithful teaching requires both the public reading of Scripture and patient clarification. Congregations thrive when leaders follow Hodiyah’s pattern of linguistic clarity and doctrinal precision. Worship services ought to unite instruction and praise, ensuring that emotional response is anchored in revealed truth. The plural “Levites” reminds modern servants that ministry is healthiest when shared; spiritual gifts complement one another, preventing celebrity culture in the church. Bearing a name that exalts Yahweh, Hodiyah teaches believers to root identity in thanksgiving rather than status, echoing Colossians 3:17. Summary Hodiyah’s brief appearance packs enduring significance: he is a model Levite whose life illustrates that revitalization in any generation is wrought by Scripture-driven instruction leading to heartfelt, corporate worship. Forms and Transliterations הֽוֹדִיָּ֡ה הֽוֹדִיָּה֙ הודיה hodiYahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 8:7 HEB: עַקּ֡וּב שַׁבְּתַ֣י ׀ הֽוֹדִיָּ֡ה מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה קְלִיטָ֣א NAS: Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, KJV: Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, INT: Akkub Shabbethai Hodiah Maaseiah Kelita Nehemiah 9:5 2 Occurrences |
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