Who was Hashabiah in the Bible?

Hashabiah was a Levite leader during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. As a Levite, he belonged to the tribe set apart for religious service in the temple (2 Chronicles 35:9).

What did Hashabiah do in the Bible?

His primary recorded action was contributing livestock for King Josiah's great Passover celebration. He, along with other leaders, gave generously from his own possessions to supply the offerings (2 Chronicles 35:9).

Why is Hashabiah significant?

Hashabiah represents the faithful Levites who supported King Josiah's historic religious reforms. His personal contribution helped enable one of the most notable Passover observances since the time of the prophet Samuel (2 Chronicles 35:18).

Hashabiah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKingLeaderLevite

Hashabiah was a Levite leader who contributed to Josiah's Passover celebration. (2Ch.35.9)

Hashabiah

Biography

This Hashabiah was a Levite leader who made a generous contribution of livestock to support the great Passover celebration instituted by King Josiah in 2 Chronicles 35:9. The Passover described in 2 Chronicles 35 was the most elaborate since the days of Samuel (2 Chronicles 35:18), representing Josiah's sweeping religious reformation and his determination to restore Israel's covenant faithfulness. Hashabiah, along with fellow Levitical chiefs Conaniah, Shemaiah, Nethanel, and Jozabad, donated thousands of animals from their own resources to ensure that the Levites had adequate offerings to serve the entire congregation. His contribution placed him among the leading Levites of his day, men who combined institutional responsibility with personal generosity in service of national worship renewal.

Significance

Hashabiah's generous provision for Josiah's Passover represents a model of sacrificial leadership in service of communal worship. The Passover of Josiah was not merely a religious ceremony, it was an act of national repentance and recommitment following the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Chronicles 34). The willingness of Levitical leaders like Hashabiah to contribute personally from their own resources ensured that no Israelite was excluded from participation due to lack of means. His example embodies the principle that leadership in God's community carries a calling to generosity, not merely administration. In giving extravagantly for the Passover, Hashabiah helped make accessible to all Israel the feast that commemorated God's foundational act of redemption.

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 35:9

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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