Lexical Summary Chaggiyyah: Haggiah Original Word: חַגִּיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Haggiah From chag and Yahh; festival of Jah; Chaggijah, an Israelite -- Haggiah. see HEBREW chag see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chag and Yah Definition "feast of Yah," a Levite NASB Translation Haggiah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חַגִיָּה proper name, masculine (feast of Yah) a Levite, son of Shimea 1 Chronicles 6:15; ᵐ5 Ἀγγια. Topical Lexicon Name and Thematic Significance Haggiah (חַגִּיָּה) combines the Hebrew root for “festival” or “feast” with the covenant Name of the LORD, yielding the thought of “Yahweh is my feast” or “festival of Yahweh.” The name itself evokes joyful worship and covenant celebration—fitting for one who stands in the lineage of Levites set apart for sacred service. Biblical Occurrence The name appears once: 1 Chronicles 6:30 – “Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.” Genealogical Placement Levi → Merari → Mahli → Libni → Shimei → Uzzah → Shimea → Haggiah → Asaiah. This nine-generation chain situates Haggiah within the Merarite branch, the youngest of Levi’s three great family divisions (Gershon, Kohath, Merari). Levitical Service within the Merarite Division Numbers 4:29–33 assigns the Merarites the heaviest components of the tabernacle—frames, crossbars, pillars, and bases. They carried the structural heart of God’s dwelling, laboring under Ithamar’s supervision. Though unnamed in those wilderness lists, Haggiah inherits that calling. His very presence in 1 Chronicles testifies that the practical, unseen labor of transport and maintenance did not lapse through the centuries. Role in the Structure of Temple Worship 1 Chronicles 6 sets the stage for David’s appointment of temple musicians (6:31–48). By preserving Merarite genealogy before detailing the choirs, the Chronicler shows how every role—from singer to porter—rests on covenant lineage and faithful transmission. Haggiah’s placement between Shimea and Asaiah signals an unbroken Merarite chain that eventually supplies Ethan (Jeduthun) and his musical descendants (6:44), linking physical tabernacle duty with spiritual praise. Historical Context within Chronicles Compiled after the exile, Chronicles reassures the post-exilic community that their priestly and Levitical lines remained intact despite national upheaval. Haggiah’s single notice contributes to that reassurance. Each preserved name affirms that the LORD “has not rejected His people whom He foreknew” (Romans 11:2). Theological Observations 1. Covenant Continuity: Even obscure servants are recorded, underscoring that God values every faithful participant in His redemptive plan. Practical Reflections for Ministry • Anonymous faithfulness matters. Modern servants who set up chairs, maintain buildings, or handle finances mirror Merarite devotion. Forms and Transliterations חַגִּיָּ֥ה חגיה chaggiYah ḥag·gî·yāh ḥaggîyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 6:30 HEB: שִׁמְעָ֥א בְנ֛וֹ חַגִּיָּ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ עֲשָׂיָ֥ה NAS: his son, Haggiah his son, KJV: his son, Haggiah his son, INT: Shimea his son Haggiah his son Asaiah 1 Occurrence |