Lexical Summary Zebadyah or Zebadyahu: "Yahweh has bestowed" or "Gift of Yahweh" Original Word: זְבַדיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zebadiah Or Zbadyahuw {zeb-ad-yaw'-hoo}; from zabad and Yahh; Jah has given; Zebadjah, the name of nine Israelites -- Zebadiah. see HEBREW zabad see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zabad and Yah Definition "Yah has bestowed," the name of several Isr. NASB Translation Zebadiah (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs זְבַדְיָהוּ, זְבַדְיָה proper name, masculine (׳י hath bestowed, compare יְהוֺזָבָד, & references, also זַבְדִּיאֵל above) — זְבַדְיָהוּ 1 Levites, b.2Chronicles 17:8. 2 an officer of Jehoshaphat2Chronicles 19:11. זְבַדְיָה 3 Benjamites, 4 one of David's men 1 Chronicles 12:8. 5 an officer of David 1 Chronicles 27:7. 6 a returning exile Ezra 8:8. 7 one of priestly house Ezra 10:20. Topical Lexicon OverviewZebadiah (Strong’s Hebrew 2069) appears nine times in the Old Testament, designating at least eight distinct men whose lives touch virtually every sphere of Israelite life—family, military, priesthood, civil government, temple service, and post-exilic renewal. Together they illustrate how God employs ordinary people for varied kingdom purposes across successive generations. Occurrences and Historical Profiles 1. 1 Chronicles 8:15 – A Benjamite son of Elpaal in the genealogies that lead to King Saul, anchoring the name early in tribal history. 2. 1 Chronicles 8:17 – Another Benjamite descendant of Elpaal; the repetition shows the name’s popularity within that clan. 3. 1 Chronicles 12:8 – “Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham of Gedor” were among those who defected to David while he was still pursued by Saul. Their allegiance foreshadows the unification of the kingdom under Davidic leadership. 4. 1 Chronicles 26:2 – The third son of Meshelemiah the Korahite, appointed as a gatekeeper. Gatekeepers protected the sanctity of worship, reminding readers that vigilance accompanies true devotion. 5. 1 Chronicles 27:7 – Commander of the fourth division of David’s standing army: “The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him”. After Asahel’s death, Zebadiah ensured continuity of leadership, affirming God’s provision for orderly succession. 6. 2 Chronicles 17:8 – A Levite teacher sent by King Jehoshaphat: “and with them the Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel…”. These men “taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them” (verse 9), fueling spiritual reformation. 7. 2 Chronicles 19:11 – Zebadiah son of Ishmael served as chief civil magistrate in Jehoshaphat’s two-tiered judicial system: “Amariah the chief priest will be over you in all matters of the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters”. His post balanced ecclesiastical and royal interests, illustrating godly governance. 8. Ezra 8:8 – A clan leader who returned from Babylon with Ezra: “of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael”. His presence among the pilgrims highlights faith willing to leave comfort for covenant restoration. 9. Ezra 10:20 – A priestly descendant of Immer who had taken a foreign wife and then repented at Ezra’s call to covenant purity. His inclusion underscores accountability even for spiritual leaders. Ministry Significance Gatekeeper, soldier, teacher, governor, returning exile, repentant priest—each Zebadiah embodies a different facet of service yet shares a common thread of availability to God’s purposes. Their accounts demonstrate that: • Spiritual renewal is advanced by both clergy and laity (the Levite teacher and the civil judge worked in tandem). Theological Reflection The composite portrait of Zebadiah reveals divine consistency: God raises willing servants in every era and assignment. Whether guarding physical gates, instructing in doctrine, adjudicating disputes, or leading armies, they contribute to the same redemptive storyline—protecting and propagating covenant faith so that the promises to Abraham and David might advance toward their ultimate fulfillment in Messiah. Practical Applications • Faithfulness in one’s present station—however obscure—matters to kingdom history. Summary Across genealogies, battlefields, temple gates, courtrooms, and return caravans, men named Zebadiah stand as witnesses that the Lord equips diverse servants to uphold His covenant, guide His people, and preserve the hope ultimately realized in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations וּזְבַדְיָ֛ה וּזְבַדְיָ֡הוּ וּזְבַדְיָ֥ה וּזְבַדְיָ֨הוּ וּזְבַדְיָֽה׃ וזבדיה וזבדיה׃ וזבדיהו זְבַדְיָ֖ה זְבַדְיָ֙הוּ֙ זבדיה זבדיהו ū·zə·ḇaḏ·yā·hū ū·zə·ḇaḏ·yāh ūzəḇaḏyāh ūzəḇaḏyāhū uzevadYah uzevadYahu zə·ḇaḏ·yā·hū zə·ḇaḏ·yāh zəḇaḏyāh zəḇaḏyāhū zevadYah zevadYahuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 8:15 HEB: וּזְבַדְיָ֥ה וַעֲרָ֖ד וָעָֽדֶר׃ NAS: Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, KJV: And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, INT: Zebadiah Arad Eder 1 Chronicles 8:17 1 Chronicles 12:8 1 Chronicles 26:2 1 Chronicles 27:7 2 Chronicles 17:8 2 Chronicles 19:11 Ezra 8:8 Ezra 10:20 9 Occurrences |
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