6964. Qolayah
Lexical Summary
Qolayah: Kolaiah

Original Word: קוֹלָיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Qowlayah
Pronunciation: koh-lah-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ko-law-yaw')
KJV: Kolaiah
NASB: Kolaiah
Word Origin: [from H6963 (קוֹל - voice) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. voice of Jah
2. Kolajah, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Kolaiah

From qowl and Yahh; voice of Jah; Kolajah, the name of two Israelites -- Kolaiah.

see HEBREW qowl

see HEBREW Yahh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from qol and Yah
Definition
"voice of Yah," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Kolaiah (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
קוֺלָיָה proper name, masculine (voice of ׳י); —

1 father of prophet Ahab Jeremiah 29:21.

2 Benjamite Nehemiah 11:7; Κοδια, A Κωλεια, ᵐ5L Κολεια. Probably also

3 Levite Ezra 10:23, ᵑ0 קֵלָיָה but Κωλεια, A Κωλαα (compare GrayProp. N. 297).

Topical Lexicon
Name Significance

Formed from elements meaning “voice” and the covenant name of God, the name Kolaiah stresses the privilege and responsibility of speaking and hearing “the voice of the LORD.” Every biblical reference to the bearer of this name highlights the seriousness with which God guards His word.

Biblical Occurrences

1. Jeremiah 29:21 – Kolaiah appears as the father of Ahab, a false prophet among the exiles in Babylon.

“Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, about Ahab son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in My name: ‘I will deliver them into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your eyes.’ ”
2. Nehemiah 11:7 – The name stands in a Benjamite genealogy that records those repopulating Jerusalem after the exile: “Sallu son of Meshullam, son of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah …”

Historical Context

Jeremiah dates Kolaiah’s son Ahab to the first deportation (circa 597 BC). False prophets were assuring the captives of a swift return, directly contradicting Jeremiah’s Spirit-inspired letter that called them to settle in Babylon for seventy years. A generation later, Nehemiah’s record (mid-fifth century BC) shows descendants of a different Kolaiah—this time integrated into the faithful restoration community that rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls and temple worship.

Character Studies

• Kolaiah of Jeremiah – While nothing is said of the father himself, the LORD’s public exposure of his son’s deception underscores the accountability of every household for truthfulness in spiritual leadership (compare Deuteronomy 18:20-22).
• Kolaiah of Nehemiah – Listed among Benjamites dwelling inside the renewed city, his lineage stands as evidence that God preserved faithful families from every tribe, fulfilling promises of national restoration (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

Theological Themes

1. Authentic versus counterfeit revelation. The very name Kolaiah—“voice of the LORD”—juxtaposes the authority of true prophecy with the peril of fraudulent claims.
2. Generational influence. A father’s name may honor God, yet each generation must personally obey. One Kolaiah’s son leads people astray; another Kolaiah’s descendants help re-establish covenant worship.
3. Divine judgment and mercy. Jeremiah 29 shows judgment on falsehood; Nehemiah 11 displays mercy in restoration. Both scenes reveal the consistency of God’s character: He opposes prideful presumption yet graciously gathers the remnant who walk in truth.

Ministry Lessons

• Guard the pulpit: Those who speak in God’s name must match message and life to Scripture.
• Teach discernment: God’s people must test every “voice” by the revealed word (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
• Encourage faithfulness amid exile: Even in displacement or cultural marginalization, the LORD sustains families who remain loyal to Him.
• Celebrate restoration: No lineage is beyond redemption; God can raise up future servants from any background when hearts yield to His word.

Related References

Jeremiah 23:28-32; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 7:15-23; 1 John 4:1-6

Forms and Transliterations
ק֨וֹלָיָ֧ה קֽוֹלָיָה֙ קוליה kolaYah qō·w·lā·yāh qōwlāyāh
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Nehemiah 11:7
HEB: פְּדָיָה֩ בֶן־ ק֨וֹלָיָ֧ה בֶן־ מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה
NAS: the son of Kolaiah, the son
KJV: the son of Kolaiah, the son
INT: of Pedaiah the son of Kolaiah the son of Maaseiah

Jeremiah 29:21
HEB: אַחְאָ֤ב בֶּן־ קֽוֹלָיָה֙ וְאֶל־ צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ
NAS: the son of Kolaiah and concerning
KJV: the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah
INT: Ahab the son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6964
2 Occurrences


qō·w·lā·yāh — 2 Occ.

6963
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