Jehozadak, also known as Jozadak, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the post-exilic period of Israel's history. He is primarily recognized as the father of Jeshua (Joshua) the high priest, who played a crucial role in the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian exile.

Lineage and Historical Context

Jehozadak was the son of Seraiah, the last high priest before the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. His lineage is traced back to Aaron, the brother of Moses, establishing his rightful place in the priestly line. This is confirmed in 1 Chronicles 6:14-15 : "Azariah was the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak. Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar."

The historical context of Jehozadak's life is marked by the Babylonian exile, a period of great upheaval and transformation for the people of Judah. The exile began in 586 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, leading to the deportation of many Israelites, including Jehozadak.

Role and Significance

Although Jehozadak himself did not serve as high priest due to the exile, his significance is largely derived from his son, Jeshua, who became the first high priest after the return from Babylonian captivity. Jeshua's leadership was instrumental in the spiritual and physical restoration of the Jewish community, as he worked alongside Zerubbabel to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

Jehozadak's mention in the genealogies underscores the continuity of the priestly line despite the disruption caused by the exile. His name, meaning "Yahweh is righteous," reflects the enduring faith and hope of the Israelites during a time of national crisis.

Biblical References

Jehozadak is mentioned in several key passages that highlight his genealogical importance:

· 1 Chronicles 6:14-15 : This passage provides the genealogical record of Jehozadak, linking him to the priestly line of Aaron.
· Ezra 3:2 : "Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God." This verse emphasizes the role of Jeshua, Jehozadak's son, in the restoration efforts.
· Haggai 1:1 : "In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest." This passage highlights the prophetic encouragement given to Jeshua and Zerubbabel during the rebuilding process.

Legacy

Jehozadak's legacy is preserved through his son Jeshua, whose leadership and dedication to the restoration of the Temple and the worship of Yahweh were pivotal in re-establishing the religious life of the Jewish people after the exile. His inclusion in the genealogical records serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God in preserving the priestly line and fulfilling His promises to Israel.Jehozadak

justice of the Lord

Jehozadak

(Jehovah justifies), usually called Jozadak or Josedech. He was the son of the high priest Seraiah. (1 Chronicles 6:14,15) When his father was slain at Riblah by order of Nebuchadnezzar, (2 Kings 25:18,21) Jehozadak was led away captive to Babylon. (1 Chronicles 6:15) (B.C. 588.) He himself never attained the high priesthood, but he was the father of Jeshua the high priest, and of all his successors till the pontificate of Alcimus. (Ezra 3:2; Nehemiah 12:26), etc.

Jehovah-justified, the son of the high priest Seraiah at the time of the Babylonian exile (1 Chronicles 6:14, 15). He was carried into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, and probably died in Babylon. He was the father of Jeshua, or Joshua, who returned with Zerubbabel. JEHOZADAK

je-hoz'-a-dak (yehotsadhaq, "Yahweh is righteous"): Priest at the time of the captivity under Nebuchadrezzar (1 Chronicles 6:14, 15. He was the father of Joshua (Jeshua) the priest (Haggai 1:1, 12, 14; Haggai 2:2, 4 Zechariah 6:11). the King James Version has Josedech in Haggai and Zechariah. Same as "Jozadak" (yotsadhaq, same meaning) in Ezra 3:2, 8; Ezra 5:2; Ezra 10:18 Nehemiah 12:26; and = "Josedek" (King James Version "Josedec") of 1 Esdras 5:5, 48, 56; 6:02; 9:19; Sirach 49:12.

3087. Yehotsadaq -- "the LORD is righteous," father of Joshua the ...
... "the LORD is righteous," father of Joshua the high priest. Transliteration: Yehotsadaq
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-ho-tsaw-dawk') Short Definition: Jehozadak. ...
/hebrew/3087.htm - 6kJehozadak (8 Occurrences)
... Zerubbabel. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JEHOZADAK. je-hoz ... 12.
Multi-Version Concordance Jehozadak (8 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles ...
/j/jehozadak.htm - 10k

Jehoz'adak (7 Occurrences)
Jehoz'adak. Jehozadak, Jehoz'adak. Jehu . ... Jehoz'adak (7 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles
6:14 and Azariah begot Seraiah, and Seraiah begot Jehozadak; (See RSV). ...
/j/jehoz'adak.htm - 8k

Shealtiel (12 Occurrences)
... month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the son of
Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high ...
/s/shealtiel.htm - 12k

Ezra (28 Occurrences)
... Since Seraiah, according to the Book of Kings, was killed by Nebuchadrezzar at Riblah
(2 Kings 25:18-21), and since he was the father of Jehozadak, the high ...
/e/ezra.htm - 29k

Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)
... month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the son of
Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high ...
/z/zerubbabel.htm - 20k

Proper (62 Occurrences)
... liberorum turbam) donavit"; Gesenius translated Gedaliah "quem Jehova educavit vel
roboravit," Zerahiah "cui Jehova ortum dedit," Jehozadak "quem Jehova justum ...
/p/proper.htm - 57k

Governor (78 Occurrences)
... month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the son of
Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high ...
/g/governor.htm - 48k

Haggai (14 Occurrences)
... month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the son of
Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high ...
/h/haggai.htm - 28k

Nebuchadnez'zar (55 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 6:15 and Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried
away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. (See RSV). ...
/n/nebuchadnez'zar.htm - 24k

Ornate (1 Occurrence)
... Zechariah 6:11 Yes, take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them on the
head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest; (See NAS). ...
/o/ornate.htm - 6k

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