יְדַעְיָה (ye.da.yah)
ye.da.yah
Jedaiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Jedaiah, or ye.da.yah, is a Hebrew personal name meaning "Jehovah has known." It appears eleven times in the Old Testament, primarily within the post-exilic records of 1 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zechariah. The bearers of this name were men of the tribe of Levi, specifically serving in priestly capacities during the restoration of Jerusalem.
Lexical sources identify several distinct individuals with this name, suggesting it was a relatively common title among the returning exiles. One Jedaiah is listed as a son of Joiarib among those who settled in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:10). Another figure served as a ruler of the priests under the high priest Jeshua during the time of Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:36; Nehemiah 7:39).
The recurrence of this name highlights the organized structure of the restored priesthood. By tracking these individuals through Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah, readers can see how families maintained their religious roles after the Babylonian exile. The name itself serves as a constant reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, affirming that He knows them by name.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jedaiah carries the meaning "Jehovah has known." In the Old Testament, this title belongs to several men from the tribe of Levi who served as priests during the restoration of Jerusalem after the exile. Their stories are recorded in books like Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, showing how families maintained their religious roles when the people returned home.
These records highlight an organized priesthood under leaders like Jeshua. When you read about Jedaiah serving alongside others, it reflects a community rebuilding its life around God. The name itself stands as a quiet reminder that God knows His people personally and intimately, even in times of transition and uncertainty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jedaiah7×
- of/ Jedaiah2×
- to/ Jedaiah1×
- and/ to/ Jedaiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִֽ/ידַֽעְיָ֖ה2×
- יְדַֽעְיָה֙2×
- יְדַֽעְיָ֥ה2×
- יְדַֽעְיָ֑ה2×
- לִֽ/ידַעְיָ֖ה1×
- יְדַֽעְיָֽה\׃1×
- וְ/לִ/ידַֽעְיָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 9:10
Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin,
This verse lists Jedaiah among the priests who settled in Jerusalem, showing his role in the initial return from exile.
-
Ezra 2:36
The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.
Here Jedaiah is identified as the head of a priestly family with 973 members, emphasizing the scale of the restored priesthood.
-
Zechariah 6:14
The crowns shall be to Helem, to Tobijah, to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in Yahweh’s temple.
Jedaiah receives a crown in the temple as a memorial, linking his name to God's lasting promise and presence among His people.