Who was Hodaviah in the Bible?

Hodaviah, also called Hodaiah, was a descendant of King David through the royal line of Jeconiah (Jehoiachin), a king of Judah. He is listed in genealogical records, specifically in 1 Chronicles 3:24, as part of the post-exilic lineage.

Why is Hodaviah's genealogy important?

His lineage is significant because it connects the royal line of David to the period after the Babylonian exile. This connection was crucial for maintaining the messianic promise that a future king would come from David's line (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

What does the name Hodaviah mean?

The name Hodaviah means 'praise of Yahweh' or 'give thanks to the Lord.' This reflects a common Hebrew naming tradition that honors God, similar to other names like Judah and Isaiah.

Hodaviah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon of elioenai

Hodaviah (also known as Hodaiah) was one of the descendants of King David through the line of Jeconiah.

Hodaviah

Biography

Hodaviah, also called Hodaiah, was a descendant of the royal Davidic line through Jeconiah (Jehoiachin), listed in the post-exilic genealogy of 1 Chronicles 3:24 as a son of Elioenai. He thus belonged to one of the later generations of the house of David, living in the period when the dynasty had lost its political throne but retained its genealogical identity and covenant significance. The name Hodaviah means "give thanks to Yahweh" or "praise the LORD", a fitting name for one whose very existence testified to the persistence of God's promise. No personal exploits are recorded for him, but his position in the royal genealogy carries profound implications for the Messianic hope that animated post-exilic Israel.

Significance

As a descendant of the Davidic royal line in the post-exilic period, Hodaviah represents a vital link in the chain of Messianic lineage. The promise in 2 Samuel 7 that David's throne would endure forever required successive generations to carry on the bloodline even after Babylon had stripped the dynasty of its political power. The careful documentation of these descendants in 1 Chronicles reflects the Chronicler's theological conviction that God's covenant with David remained active and operative across centuries of upheaval. Every member of this genealogy, including Hodaviah, participates in the long, patient story of Messianic expectation that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whom Matthew 1 identifies as the Son of David.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 5:24

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]

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