יְהוֹצָדָק (ye.ho.tsa.daq)

ye.ho.tsa.daq

Jehozadak

H3087 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 6 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 6 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Jehozadak, meaning "Jehovah is righteous," identifies a pivotal figure in the post-exilic restoration of Israel’s worship. He was the son of the high priest Seraiah and the father of Joshua, who led the first group of returnees from Babylon to rebuild the temple (Ezra 3:2). Although his own father was executed by Nebuchadnezzar, Jehozadak’s lineage remained central to the religious leadership that reestablished the priesthood in Jerusalem.

Scripture records him both as Jehozadak and simply Jozadak, appearing in historical lists and narrative accounts of the temple reconstruction (Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 6:11). His presence marks a critical transition: he bridged the pre-exilic priestly line with the restored community. While he did not serve as high priest himself due to the captivity, his son Joshua took up that role, fulfilling the continuity of worship after the exile.

The name itself carries theological weight, affirming God’s righteousness even in judgment and restoration. Jehozadak’s story illustrates how divine faithfulness preserves priestly lines through periods of national collapse. His legacy is not in personal office but in sustaining the sacred lineage that enabled Israel to resume its covenantal duties.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

Jehozadak means 'Jehovah is righteous,' a name that carries deep weight for anyone who has faced sudden loss or national collapse. His story begins in tragedy when his father, the high priest Seraiah, was executed by Nebuchadnezzar. Yet God preserved this priestly line through the Babylonian exile, ensuring that worship could resume once the people returned to Jerusalem. This shows us that divine faithfulness often works through generations, not just individual lifetimes.

In the restored community, Jehozadak’s son Joshua became the high priest who led the rebuilding of the temple (Haggai 1:1). Though Jehozadak himself did not serve in office during this second act of redemption, his legacy sustained the sacred lineage that enabled Israel to resume its covenantal duties. His life reminds us that God’s righteousness endures even when our circumstances seem broken or forgotten.

When we face seasons where our own efforts feel insufficient, Jehozadak’s story offers quiet hope. It is not about personal glory but about preserving what matters most for future generations. May you find comfort in knowing that God honors faithful lines and keeps His promises across time.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Jehozadak6×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

יְהוֹצָדָק֩2×
יְהוֹצָדָ֖ק2×
יְהוֹצָדָק֙1×
יְהוֹצָדָ֛ק1×

Key Verses

Haggai 1:1
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, Yahweh’s word came by Haggai the prophet, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,

This verse identifies Joshua as 'the son of Jehozadak,' establishing the priestly lineage that legitimized the post-exilic worship restoration.
Zechariah 6:11
Yes, take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest;

Here, crowns are placed on Joshua, Jehozadak’s son, symbolizing the restored hope and divine approval of the priesthood after exile.
Haggai 2:4
Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Yahweh. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says Yahweh, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says Yahweh of Armies.

God commands Joshua, identified by his father’s name, to be strong, linking the current leadership directly to the pre-exilic priestly line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Jehozadak mean?

The name Jehozadak (יְהוֹצָדָק) means 'Jehovah is righteous.' It combines the divine name YHWH with the root tsadaq, meaning righteousness or justice. This name affirms God’s moral integrity even during times of judgment and exile.

Who was Jehozadak in the Bible?

Jehozadak was the son of high priest Seraiah and father of Joshua, who became high priest after the Babylonian exile. Though he did not serve as high priest himself due to the captivity, his lineage remained central to the restored priesthood in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:2).

Why is Jehozadak important for understanding post-exilic worship?

Jehozadak represents the continuity of the priestly line through the exile. His son Joshua led the temple reconstruction, showing how God preserved religious leadership despite national collapse. This connection validates the legitimacy of the restored community’s worship practices.

Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)

Haggai 5 verses

Haggai 1:1

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, Yahweh’s word came by Haggai…

Haggai 1:12

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the…

Haggai 1:14

Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of…

Haggai 2:2

“Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest,…

Haggai 2:4

Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Yahweh. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you…

Zechariah 1 verse