Who was Hodaviah in the Bible?

Hodaviah was a leader of the half-tribe of Manasseh during the reign of King David. He is listed among the mighty warriors and commanders who supported David's kingdom (1 Chronicles 5:24).

What is the significance of Hodaviah?

His significance lies in representing the military and tribal leadership structure of Israel under King David. As a leader of Manasseh, he helped secure the eastern territories and contributed to the unity of the kingdom during its peak.

What key events was Hodaviah involved in?

The Bible records that Hodaviah and other leaders waged war against the Hagrites and their allies with God's help, leading to a great victory and settlement in the land (1 Chronicles 5:18-22). This secured the Transjordan region for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh.

Hodaviah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeader

Hodaviah was one of the leaders of the half-tribe of Manasseh during the time of King David.

Hodaviah

Biography

Hodaviah was a tribal leader of the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh during the reign of King David, recorded in the genealogies and administrative lists of 1 Chronicles 5:24. He is named alongside other valiant warriors and heads of households who led the half-tribe settled in the Transjordan, the territory east of the Jordan River. These leaders were described as mighty warriors and men of renown in their generation. Though no specific military exploits or political decisions are attributed personally to Hodaviah, his recognition as a head within the half-tribe of Manasseh indicates a man of standing, responsible for the welfare and governance of his people during a formative period of Israel's united kingdom under David.

Significance

Hodaviah's role as a leader of the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh reflects the complex administrative and tribal structure of Davidic Israel. The Transjordanian half-tribe occupied strategically important frontier territory, subject to pressure from Aramean and other neighboring peoples. The leaders listed in 1 Chronicles 5 are notably described in the same passage as eventually unfaithful, with the tribe ultimately exiled by the Assyrians due to apostasy (1 Chronicles 5:25–26). Hodaviah therefore stands at a generational crossroads, his position of leadership carried both opportunity and weighty covenant accountability. His story reminds readers that those entrusted with authority over God's people bear a corresponding responsibility to model faithfulness to the God who appointed them.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 3:24

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]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources