Nekoda is a name found in the Old Testament, specifically within the post-exilic period of Israel's history. The name appears in the context of the lists of returnees from the Babylonian exile, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. These lists are significant as they document the families and individuals who returned to Jerusalem and Judah to rebuild the temple and restore the community after the Babylonian captivity.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 2:48-60 · In the book of Ezra, Nekoda is mentioned among the Nethinim, a group of temple servants who returned with Zerubbabel. The passage lists the descendants of Nekoda as part of a larger group of temple servants: "The descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pokereth-hazzebaim, and the descendants of Ami. All the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon’s servants numbered 392." (Ezra 2:56-58).

2. Nehemiah 7:50-52 · Similarly, in Nehemiah, the descendants of Nekoda are again listed among the Nethinim who returned to Jerusalem. This list closely parallels the one found in Ezra, underscoring the importance of these individuals in the restoration efforts: "The descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda, the descendants of Gazzam, the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah..." (Nehemiah 7:50-51).

3. Nehemiah 7:62 · Additionally, the descendants of Nekoda are mentioned in a separate list of those who could not prove their Israelite ancestry: "The descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, the descendants of Nekoda, 642." (Nehemiah 7:62). This indicates that some of the descendants of Nekoda faced challenges in establishing their genealogical records, which was a significant issue for those returning from exile, as it affected their status and rights within the community.

Historical and Theological Context:

The mention of Nekoda and his descendants highlights the broader theme of restoration and continuity within the post-exilic community. The return from Babylonian exile was a pivotal moment in Jewish history, marked by efforts to reestablish religious practices, rebuild the temple, and restore the identity of the Israelite people. The inclusion of the Nethinim, including the descendants of Nekoda, in these efforts underscores the collaborative nature of this restoration process, involving various groups and families.

The Nethinim, to which the descendants of Nekoda belonged, were a group of temple servants assigned to assist the Levites in their duties. Their role was crucial in maintaining the daily operations and rituals of the temple, which was central to the religious life of the community. The presence of the Nethinim in the lists of returnees reflects the importance of worship and temple service in the reestablished community.

The challenges faced by some descendants of Nekoda in proving their lineage also reflect the broader issues of identity and belonging that were prevalent during the post-exilic period. The need for genealogical records was not only a matter of religious and social status but also a means of preserving the distinct identity of the Israelite people amidst the surrounding nations.

In summary, Nekoda and his descendants represent a small yet significant part of the larger narrative of return and restoration in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Their inclusion in the biblical record serves as a testament to the diverse and collective efforts of the Israelite community to rebuild and renew their covenant relationship with God following the exile.Nekoda

painted; inconstant

Nekoda

(distinguished).

1. The descendants of Nekoda returned among the Nethinim after the captivity. (Ezra 2:48; Nehemiah 7:50)
2. The sons of Nekoda were among those who went up after the captivity from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, and other places, but were unable to prove their descent from Israel. (Ezra 2:60; Nehemiah 7:62)

NEKODA

ne-ko'-da (neqodha'):

(1) Head of a family of Nethinim (Ezra 2:48 Nehemiah 7:50; compare 1Es 5:31).

(2) Head of a family which failed to prove its Israelite descent (Ezra 2:60 Nehemiah 7:62; compare 1Es 5:31, 37). In the parallel verses of 1 Esdras the names are given thus: NOEBA and NEKODAN (which see).

5353. Neqoda -- head of a family of Nethinim
... 5352, 5353. Neqoda. 5354 . head of a family of Nethinim. Transliteration: Neqoda
Phonetic Spelling: (nek-o-daw') Short Definition: Nekoda. ... Nekoda. ...
/hebrew/5353.htm - 6kNekoda (4 Occurrences)
...NEKODA. ne-ko'-da (neqodha'): (1) Head of a family of Nethinim (Ezra 2:48 Nehemiah
7:50; compare 1Es 5:31). ... Multi-Version Concordance Nekoda (4 Occurrences). ...
/n/nekoda.htm - 8k

Neko'da (4 Occurrences)
Neko'da. Nekoda, Neko'da. Nekodan . ... Neko'da (4 Occurrences). Ezra 2:48 the children
of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam; (See RSV). ...
/n/neko'da.htm - 7k

Nekodan
... ne-ko'-dan (Nekodan; the Revised Version margin "Nekoda"; the King James Version
Necodan): (1) Head of a family which returned from exile, but "could not show ...
/n/nekodan.htm - 6k

Tobijah (17 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS NIV). Ezra 2:60 The children of Delaiah, the children
of Tobijah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred and fifty-two. (DBY). ...
/t/tobijah.htm - 12k

Tobi'ah (15 Occurrences)
... Tobi'ah (15 Occurrences). Ezra 2:60 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah,
the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two. (See RSV). ...
/t/tobi'ah.htm - 10k

Delai'ah (6 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezra 2:60 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the
children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two. (See RSV). ...
/d/delai'ah.htm - 7k

Delaiah (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Ezra 2:60 the children of Delaiah, the
children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two. ...
/d/delaiah.htm - 10k

Rezin (11 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:48 the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Nehemiah ...
/r/rezin.htm - 13k

Tobiah (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tobiah (14 Occurrences). Ezra 2:60 the children of Delaiah,
the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two. ...
/t/tobiah.htm - 13k

Noeba
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia NOEBA. no'-e-ba (Noeba): Head of one of the families
of temple-servants (1 Esdras 5:31) equals "Nekoda" of Ezra 2:48. ...
/n/noeba.htm - 6k

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