Lexical Summary Kozeba: Kozeba Original Word: כֹּזָבָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Choseba From kazab; fallacious; Cozeba, a place in Palestine -- Choseba. see HEBREW kazab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kazab Definition a city in Judah NASB Translation Cozeba (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כֹּזֵבָֹא proper name, of a location 1 Chronicles 4:22 ᵐ5 Σωχηθα, A ᵐ5L Ξωζηβα, = אַכְזִיב 1 see below Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Kozeba is mentioned once, in 1 Chronicles 4:22 within the genealogy of the Shelanite branch of the tribe of Judah: “Jokim, the men of Kozeba, Joash and Saraph—who ruled in Moab and returned to Lehem—these are the ancient matters”. Though only a brief note, the reference places Kozeba among the settlements linked to Judah’s line through Shelah, underscoring its place in the sacred record of Israel’s tribal heritage. Geographic Identification Most scholars locate Kozeba in the low hill country of Judah, several miles west-south-west of Bethlehem. The modern ruin Khirbet Kûeizîba (near Adullam) fits both the phonetic form and the Shelanite territory mapped in Joshua 15. Some suggest Kozeba may be an alternate spelling—or a later linguistic evolution—of Chezib (Genesis 38:5; Micah 1:14), though the Chronicler’s form is unique. Archaeological surveys of the region reveal Iron Age pottery and domestic foundations, supporting the view that a modest Judahite village once stood there. Genealogical Significance The Chronicler positions Kozeba within a list of craftsmen and administrators “who lived at Netaim and Gederah; they dwelt with the king for his work” (1 Chronicles 4:23). The men of Kozeba, then, contributed skilled labor—likely pottery or linen production—for royal service. This placement honors a community otherwise invisible in earlier narratives, reminding readers that God’s redemptive program includes artisans and provincial towns as surely as priests and prophets. Historical Background 1 Chronicles 4:22 notes that certain Shelanites “ruled in Moab and returned to Lehem.” The Chronicler preserves the memory of a temporary Judahite migration east of the Jordan, perhaps during a famine (cf. Ruth 1:1) or as a result of economic opportunity. The men of Kozeba belong to this same movement, implying that their village had interaction with Moab yet maintained Judahite identity. Their eventual return “to Lehem” (Bethlehem or nearby environs) anticipates later restoration themes developed in Ezra–Nehemiah. Theological Reflections 1. Faithfulness in obscurity: Though Kozeba receives only a single biblical mention, its inhabitants are chronicled alongside Israel’s leading tribes. Scripture thereby affirms that every community matters in God’s purposes (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:22). Ministry Application • Encourage congregations to recognize the spiritual value of everyday labor. Kozeba’s potters and weavers served the kingdom through their trades; likewise, believers today honor Christ by excellence in their occupations. Key References 1 Chronicles 4:22-23; cf. Genesis 38:5; Micah 1:14; Ruth 1:1; Ezra 2; Hebrews 6:10 Forms and Transliterations כֹזֵבָ֗א כזבא chozeVa ḵō·zê·ḇā ḵōzêḇāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 4:22 HEB: וְיוֹקִ֞ים וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י כֹזֵבָ֗א וְיוֹאָ֧שׁ וְשָׂרָ֛ף NAS: the men of Cozeba, Joash, KJV: and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, INT: and Jokim and the men of Cozeba and Joash Saraph 1 Occurrence |
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