יַדּוּעַ (yad.du.a)
yad.du.a
Jaddua
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Jaddua, meaning "knowing" or "one who knows," appears only twice in the Old Testament, both within the book of Nehemiah. It identifies a significant figure during the post-exilic restoration period, linking the community’s spiritual renewal with its leadership structure.
He is first listed among the chiefs of the people who sealed the covenant under Nehemiah’s leadership (Nehemiah 10:21). Later, he is identified as the son of Johanan and a high priest (Nehemiah 12:11). This dual role suggests his influence extended across both civic administration and religious authority.
As the last high priest mentioned in the Old Testament, Jaddua likely served during the time of Alexander the Great. His name’s meaning reflects the value placed on wisdom and discernment in a community rebuilding its identity after exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jaddua carries the quiet weight of knowledge and recognition. In a time when Israel was rebuilding its identity after exile, this title belonged to a leader who bridged civic duty and spiritual authority. His presence in the records reminds us that faithful leadership is not about fame, but about steady service and clear understanding of God’s covenant.
When we read his name alongside other priests and Levites, we see a community committed to preserving truth through generations. This continuity offers comfort: God works through ordinary people who choose to remain faithful to their calling. Whether in times of restoration or uncertainty, knowing God’s ways remains the foundation for a life that honors Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Jaddua1×
- Jaddua1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַדּֽוּעַ\׃1×
- וְ/יַדּ֔וּעַ1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 12:11
and Joiada became the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan became the father of Jaddua.
This verse establishes Jaddua’s lineage as part of the high priestly succession, highlighting the importance of faithful transmission of spiritual authority across generations.
-
Nehemiah 12:22
As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, there were recorded the heads of fathers’ households; also the priests, in the reign of Darius the Persian.
Here Jaddua is listed among those whose households were officially recorded during Darius’s reign, showing how the community preserved its history and leadership structure for future reference.