6976. Qots
Lexical Summary
Qots: Hakkoz, Koz

Original Word: קוֹץ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Qowts
Pronunciation: kohts
Phonetic Spelling: (kotse)
KJV: Koz, Hakkoz (including the article)
NASB: Hakkoz, Koz
Word Origin: [the same as H6975 (קוֹץ קוֹץ - thorns)]

1. Kots, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Koz, Hakkoz including the article

The same as qowts; Kots, the name of two Israelites -- Koz, Hakkoz (including the article).

see HEBREW qowts

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as qots
Definition
two Isr.
NASB Translation
Hakkoz (5), Koz (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. קוֺץ proper name, masculine 1. name in Judah 1 Chronicles 4:8, Kings Κωε, Κως.

2 ׳הַקּ: priest 1 Chronicles 24:10, Κως,, A ᵐ5L Ακκως; Ezra 2:61 = Nehemiah 7:63; Nehemiah 3:4,21, Ακ(κ)ους, -ως.



Topical Lexicon
Etymology and Symbolism

The name Koz (or Hakkoz when prefixed by the definite article) sounds like the Hebrew word for a “thorn.” Scripture sometimes uses thorns as pictures of painful discipline or steadfast endurance, reminding readers that even those whose names evoke hardship can be instruments of blessing when surrendered to the purposes of God.

Occurrences in Scripture

1 Chronicles 4:8; 1 Chronicles 24:10; Ezra 2:61; Nehemiah 3:4; Nehemiah 3:21; Nehemiah 7:63.

Genealogical Context in Judah

First introduced in 1 Chronicles 4:8, Koz appears within the clan lists of Judah, fathering “Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.” The Chronicler’s interest in post-exilic identity places Koz among those whose family records helped preserve tribal distinctives and territorial rights after the Babylonian captivity.

Priestly Division of Hakkoz

In David’s organization of the twenty-four priestly orders, “the seventh order fell to Hakkoz” (1 Chronicles 24:10). This assignment located the family in the regular rotation of Temple service. The adjacent “eighth to Abijah” later becomes significant in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:5), indirectly aligning Hakkoz beside the lineage that produced John the Baptist—highlighting how Old Testament catalogues quietly frame New Testament narratives.

Challenges of Legitimacy after the Exile

Upon the return from Babylon, descendants of Hakkoz faced questions about their genealogical records:

“And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai …” (Ezra 2:61; echoed in Nehemiah 7:63). Lacking verifiable ancestry, they were barred from the priesthood “until a priest could consult the Urim and Thummim” (Nehemiah 7:65). Their predicament underscores the seriousness with which Israel guarded the holiness of worship. Ministry was never a matter of personal aspiration alone; God required demonstrable calling and covenantal legitimacy.

Contribution to Rebuilding Jerusalem

Despite earlier uncertainty, later generations of Hakkoz regained esteem. During Nehemiah’s wall-building campaign:

“Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, made repairs” (Nehemiah 3:4).

“Next to him Meremoth … repaired another section” (Nehemiah 3:21).

Meremoth’s energetic labor—in two separate stretches—illustrates how faithfulness can restore a family’s standing. Former disqualification did not doom future usefulness; grace opened fresh opportunities for service.

Historical Ripple Effects

• The priestly order of Hakkoz likely continued through the Second Temple era, participating in daily sacrifices, festivals, and teaching of the Law.
• Rabbinic tradition later associates Hakkoz with the course that ministered in the Temple just before its fall in A.D. 70, a sober reminder that even honored lines serve within God’s larger redemptive timetable.

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Covenant Fidelity. The line of Koz shows God’s insistence on holiness in leadership. Accurate records mattered because worship mattered.
2. Restorative Grace. Although questioned, the family did not disappear. Their eventual rehabilitation during Nehemiah’s project models the possibility of restoration for believers whose past failures have sidelined them.
3. Intergenerational Impact. A name meaning “thorn” becomes linked with Temple repair—transforming a symbol of pain into one of healing.
4. Servant Leadership. Meremoth’s doubled workload testifies that authentic ministry often involves quiet perseverance more than public acclaim.

Practical Reflections

• Churches should guard doctrinal and moral integrity in leadership selection while extending pathways to restoration.
• Genealogies, sometimes skimmed over, reinforce the continuity of God’s plan and validate the historical reliability of Scripture.
• The account of Hakkoz encourages believers to trust that God can redeem questionable beginnings, turning “thorns” into instruments of blessing for the community of faith.

Forms and Transliterations
הַקּ֑וֹץ הַקּ֔וֹץ הַקּ֖וֹץ הקוץ וְק֣וֹץ וקוץ לְהַקּוֹץ֙ להקוץ hakKotz haq·qō·wṣ haqqōwṣ lə·haq·qō·wṣ lehakkOtz ləhaqqōwṣ veKotz wə·qō·wṣ wəqōwṣ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 4:8
HEB: וְק֣וֹץ הוֹלִ֔יד אֶת־
NAS: Koz became the father of Anub
KJV: And Coz begat Anub,
INT: Koz became of Anub

1 Chronicles 24:10
HEB: לְהַקּוֹץ֙ הַשְּׁבִעִ֔י לַאֲבִיָּ֖ה
NAS: the seventh for Hakkoz, the eighth
KJV: The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth
INT: Hakkoz the seventh Abijah

Ezra 2:61
HEB: חֳבַיָּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י הַקּ֑וֹץ בְּנֵ֣י בַרְזִלַּ֗י
NAS: the sons of Hakkoz, the sons
KJV: the children of Koz, the children
INT: of Habaiah the sons of Hakkoz the sons of Barzillai

Nehemiah 3:4
HEB: אוּרִיָּה֙ בֶּן־ הַקּ֔וֹץ ס וְעַל־
NAS: the son of Hakkoz made
KJV: the son of Koz. And next unto them
INT: of Uriah the son of Hakkoz and Next

Nehemiah 3:21
HEB: אוּרִיָּ֛ה בֶּן־ הַקּ֖וֹץ מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית
NAS: the son of Hakkoz repaired
KJV: the son of Koz another
INT: of Uriah the son of Hakkoz section another

Nehemiah 7:63
HEB: חֳבַיָּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י הַקּ֑וֹץ בְּנֵ֣י בַרְזִלַּ֗י
NAS: the sons of Hakkoz, the sons
KJV: the children of Koz, the children
INT: of Hobaiah the sons of Hakkoz the sons of Barzillai

6 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6976
6 Occurrences


haq·qō·wṣ — 4 Occ.
lə·haq·qō·wṣ — 1 Occ.
wə·qō·wṣ — 1 Occ.

6975
Top of Page
Top of Page