Hozai is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the reign of King Manasseh of Judah. The reference to Hozai is found in 2 Chronicles 33:19, which provides insight into the historical records of Manasseh's reign. The Berean Standard Bible states: "His prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, as well as all his sin and unfaithfulness, and the sites where he built high places and set up Asherah poles and idols before he humbled himself, are written in the records of Hozai."

Historical Context

Hozai is noted as a chronicler or recorder of events during the time of King Manasseh. Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah and became king of Judah at the age of twelve. His reign is marked by a significant departure from the religious reforms of his father, as he engaged in idolatry and other practices that were abominable in the sight of the LORD. However, later in his life, Manasseh repented and sought the LORD, which led to his restoration and a return to some of the religious practices of his forefathers.

Role and Significance

The mention of Hozai in the biblical text highlights the importance of historical documentation in the biblical narrative. Hozai's records are significant because they provide a detailed account of Manasseh's reign, including his sins, his repentance, and the subsequent divine response. This documentation serves as a testament to the transformative power of repentance and God's willingness to forgive those who earnestly seek Him.

Theological Implications

The inclusion of Hozai's records in the biblical account underscores the theme of divine mercy and forgiveness. Despite Manasseh's grievous sins, his account is one of redemption and restoration, illustrating the biblical principle that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace. Hozai's records serve as a reminder of the importance of humility and repentance in the life of a believer.

Literary Contribution

While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Hozai himself, his contribution to the chronicling of Manasseh's reign is invaluable. The records attributed to Hozai offer a glimpse into the historical and spiritual dynamics of the period, enriching the biblical narrative with a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior and divine interaction.

Conclusion

The brief mention of Hozai in the Scriptures invites readers to reflect on the broader themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the enduring faithfulness of God. Through the records of Hozai, the account of Manasseh becomes a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God's grace and the importance of documenting His works throughout history.HOZAI

ho'-za-i (chozay, or as it stands at the close of the verse in question, 2 Chronicles 33:19, chozay; Septuagint ton horonton; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) "Hozai"; the King James Version the seers; the King James Version margin "Hosai"; the American Standard Revised Version "Hozia," the American Revised Version margin "the seers." Septuagint not improbably reads ha-chozim, as in 2 Chronicles 33:18; an easy error, since there we find we-dhibhere ha-chozim, "the words of the seers," and here dibhere chozay, "the words of Hozai." Kittel, following Budde, conjectures as the original reading chozayw, "his (Manasseh's) seers"): A historiographer of Manasseh, king of Judah. Thought by many of the Jews, incorrectly, to be the prophet Isaiah, who, as we learn from 2 Chronicles 26:22, was historiographer of a preceding king, Uzziah. This "History of Hozai" has not come down to us. The prayer of Manasseh, mentioned in 33:12, 18 and included in this history, suggested the apocryphal book, "The Prayer of Manasses," written, probably, in the 1st century B.C.

See APOCRYPHA.

J. Gray McAllister

2335. Chozay -- "seer," a keeper of records
... 2334, 2335. Chozay. 2336 . "seer," a keeper of records. Transliteration:
Chozay Phonetic Spelling: (kho-zah'-ee) Short Definition: Hozai. ...
/hebrew/2335.htm - 6kHozai (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia HOZAI. ho'-za-i (chozay ... king, Uzziah. This
"History of Hozai" has not come down to us. The prayer ...
/h/hozai.htm - 8k

Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)
... and the places in which he built high places, and set up Asherahs and graven images,
before he was humbled, behold, they are written among the words of Hozai. ...
/u/unfaithfulness.htm - 15k

Faithlessness (9 Occurrences)
... in which he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the engraved images, before
he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai. ...
/f/faithlessness.htm - 9k

Entreaty (12 Occurrences)
... in which he had built high places, and established the shrines and the graven images
before his being humbled, lo, they are written beside the matters of Hozai...
/e/entreaty.htm - 10k

Asherahs (23 Occurrences)
... and the places in which he built high places, and set up Asherahs and graven images,
before he was humbled, behold, they are written among the words of Hozai. ...
/a/asherahs.htm - 13k

Asherim (20 Occurrences)
... in which he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the engraved images, before
he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai. ...
/a/asherim.htm - 13k

Seer (21 Occurrences)
... 9:29; Amos 7:12; Micah 3:7). The "sayings of the seers" (2 Chronicles 33:18, 19)
is rendered in the Revised Version "the history of Hozai" (marg., the seers ...
/s/seer.htm - 17k

Sites (3 Occurrences)
... in which he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the engraved images, before
he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai. ...
/s/sites.htm - 7k

Carved (36 Occurrences)
... in which he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the engraved images, before
he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai. ...
/c/carved.htm - 17k

Shrines (40 Occurrences)
... in which he had built high places, and established the shrines and the graven images
before his being humbled, lo, they are written beside the matters of Hozai...
/s/shrines.htm - 19k

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