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Jedaiah

biblical_person_name theological_term standard

A Hebrew biblical personal name borne by several Old Testament men, including priestly and postexilic figures.

At a Glance

Biblical personal name shared by several men in the Old Testament.

Key Points

Description

Jedaiah is a Hebrew personal name found in several Old Testament genealogical and administrative lists. The name is associated especially with priests and with men connected to the return from exile and later settlement. Because more than one individual bears the name, each occurrence must be identified by its literary and historical context. As a dictionary entry, Jedaiah is best treated as a biblical proper name rather than a theological term.

Biblical Context

The name appears in Old Testament lists that record priests, Levites, temple-related personnel, and returning exiles. These contexts are important because they help distinguish one Jedaiah from another.

Historical Context

The postexilic references place some bearers of the name in the period after the Babylonian exile, when Judah was reorganizing life around the temple, priesthood, and restored community.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Genealogies and name lists were central to preserving tribal, priestly, and family identity in ancient Israel, especially in the restoration period.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew personal name, usually understood as meaning “Yahweh knows” or “the LORD knows.”

Theological Significance

Jedaiah is not itself a doctrine, but the repeated appearance of the name in priestly and postexilic records reflects the Bible's concern for covenant continuity, orderly service, and the preservation of identity among God's people.

Philosophical Explanation

This entry is an example of how proper names in Scripture function as historical markers rather than abstract concepts. Meaning depends on context, not on a single theological definition.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not assume every occurrence refers to the same man. Read each mention within its genealogy or list before drawing conclusions.

Major Views

No major doctrinal dispute attaches to the name itself; the main issue is identifying which individual is in view.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry concerns a biblical personal name only and should not be treated as a doctrine, office, or theological category.

Practical Significance

The entry encourages careful Bible reading, especially in genealogies and lists where repeated names can otherwise be confusing.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Jedaiah

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