Lexical Summary Yowtsadaq: Jozadak Original Word: יוֹצָדָק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jozadak A form of Yhowtsadaq; Jotsadak, an Israelite -- Jozadak. see HEBREW Yhowtsadaq Brown-Driver-Briggs יוֺצָדָק proper name, masculine Ezra 5:2 (Biblical Hebrew id., √ הָיָה). יזב see שֵׁיוֵב. Topical Lexicon Identity and LineageYotsadak (Strong’s Hebrew 3136), usually transliterated “Jozadak,” stands in the direct priestly line of Aaron through Zadok. He is the son of Seraiah, the last high priest before the Babylonian deportation (compare 2 Kings 25:18; Jeremiah 52:24), and the father of Jeshua (Joshua) who became the first post-exilic high priest. Although Jozadak himself never appears in Jerusalem after the exile, his name is preserved in the records of those who rebuilt the altar and Temple, underscoring the continuity of the high-priestly office across the judgment of exile and the grace of restoration. Historical Setting: From Captivity to Restoration The deportation of Judah in 586 BC removed the Davidic king and the Aaronic high priest in one decisive stroke, apparently severing covenant structures. Yet the genealogies maintained during the seventy-year captivity ensured that when Cyrus gave the decree to return (Ezra 1), legitimate heirs could resume their God-appointed ministries. Jozadak embodies this link. While his father Seraiah perished and he himself remained in Mesopotamia, his son Jeshua could stand side by side with Zerubbabel in Jerusalem because the family’s priestly identity was never lost. The five occurrences (Ezra 3:2; 3:8; 5:2; 10:18; Nehemiah 12:26) all belong to the restoration narratives, where the community is re-establishing worship, rebuilding the Temple, and purifying the priesthood. Each mention of Jozadak, though brief, reminds readers that the God who chastened His people also preserved the covenant line necessary for renewal. Key Texts and Emphases 1. Altar re-established (Ezra 3:2) “Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel…”. Here Jozadak’s name authenticates Jeshua’s priestly authority to offer sacrifices even before the Temple foundations were laid, highlighting worship as Israel’s first priority. 2. Temple foundations laid (Ezra 3:8) “In the second month of the second year after they came to the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel… and Jeshua son of Jozadak made a beginning…”. The mention of the father when the son leads construction shows that continuity with pre-exilic worship was essential for the legitimacy of the new house. 3. Renewal under the prophets (Ezra 5:2) “Then Zerubbabel… and Jeshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.” The prophetic word (Haggai 1; Zechariah 3) re-energized the stalled project; Jeshua’s ministry, grounded in his father’s lineage, becomes a living answer to prophetic exhortation. 4. Priestly purity (Ezra 10:18) “Among the descendants of the priests, the following were found to have married foreign women: the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers…” Even the high-priestly family was not exempt from reform. The citation of Jozadak’s name stresses that covenant fidelity, not mere pedigree, safeguards priestly service. 5. Chronicling faithfulness (Nehemiah 12:26) “These served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.” Generations later, Jozadak is still named in official records, attesting to the durability of his household’s ministry. Ministerial Significance Jozadak’s significance lies less in recorded actions and more in what his name guarantees—an unbroken, God-ordained priesthood. Scripture presents three main contributions: • Continuity: His lineage bridges the catastrophic exile and the hopeful return, proving that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Theological and Prophetic Resonance Zechariah’s visions feature “Jeshua the high priest” standing before the Angel of the LORD, a scene that not only concerns post-exilic cleansing but also anticipates the ultimate Priest-King (Zechariah 6:11-13; Hebrews 7). Because Jeshua serves “son of Jozadak,” the prophetic link extends back through Jozadak to Aaron, underscoring that the coming Messiah fulfills, rather than abolishes, Israel’s priestly hopes. Moreover, the very meaning of the name—“The Lord is righteous”—foreshadows the Gospel truth that God’s righteousness will be revealed and imputed to His people (Jeremiah 23:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Practical Lessons for Today 1. God preserves His purposes. Even national calamity cannot nullify His covenant plan; He keeps a remnant and their records. Summary Though scarcely more than a name in the narrative, Jozadak represents the faithfulness of God in preserving a priestly lineage through exile and restoration. His memory anchors the legitimacy of post-exilic worship, points forward to the final High Priest, and urges every generation to steward the heritage entrusted to them. Forms and Transliterations יֽוֹצָדָ֔ק יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק יֽוֹצָדָק֙ יוֹצָדָ֑ק יוצדק yō·w·ṣā·ḏāq yotzaDak yōwṣāḏāqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 3:2 HEB: יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בֶּן־ יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק וְאֶחָ֣יו הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים KJV: the son of Jozadak, and his brethren INT: Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests Ezra 3:8 Ezra 5:2 Ezra 10:18 Nehemiah 12:26 5 Occurrences |
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