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Zadok

Old TestamentExile & ReturnMalePriest

Zadok, a priest, was appointed as one of the treasurers by Nehemiah.

Zadok illustration
Zadok

Biography

Zadok the priest is named in Nehemiah 13:13 among the four individuals appointed by Nehemiah as overseers of the temple storerooms in Jerusalem following his return as governor for a second term. He was appointed alongside Shelemiah the priest, Pedaiah the Levite, and Hanan son of Zaccur to administer the collection and fair distribution of the tithes, the grain, wine, and oil that supported the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers of the temple. Nehemiah's rationale was explicit: these men were chosen because they were considered trustworthy. The appointment came in response to Nehemiah's discovery that the storerooms had been misappropriated under the corrupt influence of Tobiah the Ammonite.

Significance

The appointment of Zadok as temple treasurer in Nehemiah 13 speaks to the inseparable connection between priestly integrity and institutional faithfulness. Nehemiah's reform of the storerooms was a direct response to the corruption that had crept in during his absence, and his selection of Zadok signals that restoring proper worship required personnel whose character matched their responsibility. The provision of the Levites through the tithe system was not merely economic but covenantal, it ensured that God's appointed ministers could serve without financial anxiety. Zadok's trustworthiness enabled the worship of Israel to function with integrity, modeling the stewardship required of all who serve in God's household.

Verse Appearances (1)

References

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

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