בְּסוֹדְיָ֑ה (be.so.de.yah)
be.so.de.yah
Besodeiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Besodeiah is a personal name found only once in the Hebrew Bible, at Nehemiah 3:6. The text identifies him as the father of Meshullam, one of the men who repaired a section of Jerusalem’s wall after the return from exile. Because the name appears in this historical context, it serves as a marker of identity for a family involved in the city’s restoration.
The name likely means "with the counsel of Jehovah" or "in the secret of the Lord." It combines words for divine advice and hidden counsel, suggesting that the bearer was seen as someone under God’s guidance. This type of theophoric name reflects a common practice among Israelites to acknowledge God’s role in their lives through their children’s names.
Though Besodeiah himself is not described performing any deeds, his mention highlights the communal effort to rebuild Jerusalem. His son Meshullam took on the physical work of repair, while the father’s name points to the spiritual foundation that supported such labor. The brevity of the reference underscores how many unnamed individuals contributed to this historic task.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Besodeiah means "with the counsel of Jehovah." It appears only once in the Bible, in Nehemiah 3:6, identifying Meshullam as his son. This brief mention reminds us that God’s guidance is often woven into the quiet, everyday work of restoration. Many people contributed to rebuilding Jerusalem, and their names were preserved not for fame, but as witnesses to their faithfulness.
When we face tasks that seem small or unnoticed, this name encourages us to trust that our efforts are seen by God. Just as Meshullam’s family participated in restoring the walls, your contributions to your community and church matter deeply. You do not need to be famous to be part of something lasting.
God’s counsel guides those who serve with humility. Whether you repair a wall or support a neighbor, your work has eternal value. May you find peace in knowing that your faithful steps are recorded in heaven.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Besodeiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 3:6
Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the old gate. They laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
This verse identifies Meshullam as the son of Besodeiah, linking the name to a specific family involved in repairing Jerusalem's wall.