Dodavahu
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Topical Encyclopedia
Dodavahu is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. His name, Dodavahu, is of Hebrew origin and is understood to mean "Beloved of Yahweh" or "Love of Yahweh," reflecting a theophoric element common in Hebrew names, which often include a reference to God.

Biblical Reference:

Dodavahu is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 20:37, where he is identified as the father of Eliezer. The passage reads: "Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, 'Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.' So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish."

Context and Significance:

Dodavahu's significance in the biblical narrative is primarily through his son, Eliezer, who is noted as a prophet. The context of this passage is a rebuke against King Jehoshaphat for his alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel. This alliance was seen as unwise and contrary to God's will, as Ahaziah was known for his wickedness and idolatry, following in the ways of his father, Ahab.

The prophecy delivered by Eliezer, the son of Dodavahu, serves as a divine judgment against Jehoshaphat's decision to partner with Ahaziah in a maritime venture. The ships intended for trade with Tarshish were destroyed, demonstrating the fulfillment of the prophetic word and underscoring the importance of seeking God's guidance and favor in political and economic endeavors.

Location:

Dodavahu is associated with Mareshah, a town in the lowland region of Judah. Mareshah was a significant city in the ancient kingdom of Judah, known for its strategic location and historical relevance. It is mentioned in various biblical accounts and was an important site during the reigns of the kings of Judah.

Theological Implications:

The account involving Dodavahu's son highlights the role of prophecy in the Old Testament as a means of communicating God's will and judgment. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning one's actions with divine directives. The narrative also reflects the broader theme of God's sovereignty over the affairs of nations and individuals, emphasizing that human plans are subject to divine approval and intervention.

Dodavahu, though not a central figure in the biblical text, is part of a lineage that contributed to the prophetic tradition in Israel, underscoring the familial and communal aspects of faith and obedience to God.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DODAVAHU

do-dav'-a-hu (dodhawahu, "loved of God"; the King James Version Dodavah): Father of Eliezer of Mareshah, a prophet in the days of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:37).

Strong's Hebrew
1735. Dodavahu -- "beloved of Yah," an Israelite name
... 1734, 1735. Dodavahu. 1736 . "beloved of Yah," an Israelite name. Transliteration:
Dodavahu Phonetic Spelling: (do-daw-vaw'-hoo) Short Definition: Dodavahu ...
/hebrew/1735.htm - 6k
Library

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... xv.1-8), and Hanani under Asa (2 Ghron. xvi.7-10), Jahaziel (2 Ghron. xx.14-19),
and Eliezer, son of Dodavahu (2 Ghron. xx.37), in the time of Johoshaphat. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Thesaurus
Dodavahu (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia DODAVAHU. do-dav'-a-hu (dodhawahu ... 20:37).
Multi-Version Concordance Dodavahu (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 20 ...
/d/dodavahu.htm - 7k

Do-dav'ahu (1 Occurrence)
Do-dav'ahu. Dodavahu, Do-dav'ahu. Dodo . Multi-Version Concordance Do-dav'ahu
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Dodavahu, Do-dav'ahu. Dodo . Reference Bible.
/d/do-dav'ahu.htm - 6k

Dodavah (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against
Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh ...
/d/dodavah.htm - 6k

Eliezer (14 Occurrences)
... (5) The son of Zichri, ruler over the Reubenites in the time of David (1 Chronicles
27:16). (6) The son of Dodavahu of Mareshah who prophesied the destruction ...
/e/eliezer.htm - 15k

Wrecked (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against
Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh ...
/w/wrecked.htm - 7k

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against
Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh ...
/t/tarshish.htm - 17k

Elie'zer (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against
Jehoshaphat, saying: 'Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the ...
/e/elie'zer.htm - 10k

Mareshah (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against
Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh ...
/m/mareshah.htm - 11k

Mare'shah (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against
Jehoshaphat, saying: 'Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the ...
/m/mare'shah.htm - 8k

Allied (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against
Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh ...
/a/allied.htm - 11k

Resources
Who was Eliezer in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance
Dodavahu (1 Occurrence)

2 Chronicles 20:37
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your works. The ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Dodavahu

Related Terms

Dodo (5 Occurrences)

Dodavahu (1 Occurrence)

Dodavah: A Prophet
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