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Hodiah
הוֹדִיָּה
Hodiah (Hebrew: הוֹדִיָּה, ho.diy.yah) is a biblical name; its Hebrew etymology is not securely established. Four people in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a Levite. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Akkub in Nehemiah 8.
Which Hodiah?
Four men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Hodiah
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Hodiah
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Hodiah
spouse of Ishbar; father of Maacathites
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Hodiah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 7 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 4 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Return
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Chronicles 4:19 |
| Last appears | Nehemiah 12:8 |
| Cross-references | 128 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Hanan co-occurrence Appears with Hanan in Nehemiah 8.
- Pelaiah co-occurrence Appears with Pelaiah in Nehemiah 8.
- Kelita co-occurrence Appears with Kelita in Nehemiah 8.
- Bani co-occurrence Appears with Bani in Nehemiah 8.
- Sherebiah co-occurrence Appears with Sherebiah in Nehemiah 8.
- Shebaniah co-occurrence Appears with Shebaniah in Nehemiah 9.
- Azariah co-occurrence Appears with Azariah in Nehemiah 8.
- Akkub co-occurrence Appears with Akkub in Nehemiah 8.
Origin & meaning
Hodiah was the wife of Ishbar, a descendant of Judah, and the mother two clans.
The biblical story
Hodiah is mentioned in 1Ch.4.19 as the wife of a man named Ishbar or possibly Mered, who was a descendant of Judah. The text is complex, but states either that she is married to Ishbah or that she is one of the wives of his father Mered. She is described as the sister of Naham.
Hodiah gave birth to several children, including the Garmites who founded Keilah the and the Maacathites who founded Eshtemoa (though the text at 1Ch.4.19 is ambiguous). These individuals were likely significant figures or groups within their respective communities, as they are mentioned by their place of origin or association.
The inclusion of Hodiah in this genealogy of Judah underscores the importance of family lineage and the role of women in the history of Israel. Although no further details are provided about Hodiah's life, her mention in the biblical record indicates that she was an ancestor of notable individuals within the tribe of Judah.
The passage also highlights the practice of polygamy in ancient Israel, as Mered is recorded as having two wives. However, the biblical text does not provide any commentary on the practice itself, focusing instead on the genealogical record and the descendants of these unions.
Key verses
Hodiah appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.
1 Chronicles 4:19
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 4:19