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Gedaliah
God is my greatness
גְּדַלְיָ֫הוּ
Gedaliah (Hebrew: גְּדַלְיָ֫הוּ) means “God is my greatness”, by traditional interpretation. Five men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Divided Kingdom period. In 2019 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Appears with Ahikam in Jeremiah 40.
Which Gedaliah?
Five men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Gedaliah
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Gedaliah
son of Pashhur
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Gedaliah
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Gedaliah
son of Jeduthun
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Gedaliah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 31 across 5 books
- Bearers
- 5 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2019 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2019 | 5 | Steady |
| All-time total | 15 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 5 in 2010 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Kings 25:22 |
| Last appears | Zephaniah 1:1 |
| Cross-references | 435 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ahikam co-occurrence Appears with Ahikam in Jeremiah 40.
- Ishmael co-occurrence Appears with Ishmael in Jeremiah 41.
- Nethaniah co-occurrence Appears with Nethaniah in Jeremiah 41.
- Kareah co-occurrence Appears with Kareah in Jeremiah 40.
- Johanan co-occurrence Appears with Johanan in Jeremiah 40.
- Elishama co-occurrence Appears with Elishama in Jeremiah 41.
- Seraiah co-occurrence Appears with Seraiah in Jeremiah 40.
- Tanhumeth co-occurrence Appears with Tanhumeth in Jeremiah 40.
Origin & meaning
Gedaliah, a son of Jeduthun, was one of the temple musicians appointed by King David to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals.
The biblical story
Gedaliah, mentioned in 1Ch.25.3 and 9, was one of the sons of Jeduthun, a Levite appointed by King David as a temple musician. Jeduthun, along with Asaph and Heman, was a chief musician responsible for leading worship in the tabernacle (1Ch.25.1, 6). Gedaliah and his brothers were skilled in music and prophecy, using lyres, harps, and cymbals to prophesy and give thanks and praise to the Lord (1Ch.25.3). The musicians were divided into twenty-four groups, each responsible for serving in the temple for a specific period. Gedaliah was the head of the second group (1Ch.25.9). The appointment of Gedaliah and his fellow musicians highlights the importance of music and worship in the Israelite religion and the structured organization of temple services during David's reign.
Key verses
Gedaliah appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the Lord.
1 Chronicles 25:3 -
Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:
1 Chronicles 25:9
Show all 2 references
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 25:3
- 1 Chronicles 25:9