Who was Jediael in the Bible?

Jediael was one of King David's mighty men, a group of elite warriors known for their bravery and loyalty. He is specifically identified as the son of Shimri and was from the tribe of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 11:45).

What is the significance of Jediael being a mighty man?

Being listed among David's mighty men signifies that Jediael was a warrior of exceptional valor and skill who played a crucial role in establishing and securing David's kingdom. His inclusion highlights how God used individuals from various tribes, like Manasseh, to support the king.

What do we know about Jediael's life and family?

The Bible records very few details about Jediael's life events. We know his father's name was Shimri and his brother's name was Joha, who was also a mighty man (1 Chronicles 11:45). His legacy is his faithful military service to David.

Jediael

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleDavid's warrior

Jediael the son of Shimri was one of David's mighty men from the tribe of Manasseh.

Jediael

Biography

Jediael son of Shimri was one of King David's celebrated mighty men, the elite warriors who formed the backbone of his military and whose exploits are catalogued in 1 Chronicles 11:45. Identified as belonging to the tribe of Manasseh, he and his brother Joha the Tizite were listed together among those renowned for exceptional bravery and military prowess. The compilation of David's mighty men in 1 Chronicles 11 draws from the same tradition as 2 Samuel 23, honoring those warriors whose loyalty and skill helped establish and defend David's kingdom. Jediael represents the cross-tribal character of David's support base, drawn from beyond Judah, demonstrating the breadth of God's work in uniting Israel under its great king.

Significance

Jediael son of Shimri exemplifies the warrior ideal celebrated in the Davidic court, fierce loyalty combined with extraordinary capability in service of God's anointed king. His inclusion among the mighty men of 1 Chronicles 11 reflects the Chronicler's theological emphasis on Israel united behind David, a foreshadowing of the ultimate Davidic king around whom the nations will gather (Isaiah 11:10). That a Manassite warrior earned distinction in this elite company reinforces the pan-tribal vision of the Davidic kingdom and illustrates how God equipped diverse individuals to serve His redemptive purposes through earthly institutions of just kingship.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 11:45

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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