from דּוֹד and יָהּ; love of Jah; Dodavah, an Israelite; Dodavah.
Transliteration:Dôwdâvâhûw
Pronunciation:do-daw-vaw'-hoo
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma דּוֹדָוָהוּ (Dôwdâvâhûw), Strong's `{{H1735}}`, is a Hebrew proper noun. Its meaning is derived from two constituent elements: דּוֹד (dôwd, `{{H1730}}`) and יָהּ (Yah). The root דּוֹד carries a semantic range encompassing "beloved," "lover," "uncle," or more broadly, "love." In the context of a personal name, it most naturally signifies "love" or "beloved." The suffix יָהּ is a common theophoric element, an abbreviated form of יְהוָה (YHWH), the personal name of God. Therefore, the combined meaning of Dodavah is "love of Yah" or "Yah is beloved." This name encapsulates a profound theological statement, indicating either the individual's devotion to God or God's affection for the individual, or perhaps a parental aspiration for such a relationship. As a proper noun, its primary function is identification, but its etymology imbues it with rich spiritual significance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Dodavah (`{{H1735}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[2 Chronicles 20:37]]. In this solitary occurrence, Dodavah is identified as the father of Eliezer, a prophet from Mareshah. The full verse states: "Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, 'Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.' So the ships were wrecked and could not go to Tarshish."
The context is crucial: Eliezer, Dodavah's son, delivers a prophetic word from Yahweh to King Jehoshaphat of Judah. This message is one of divine judgment, condemning Jehoshaphat's ill-advised alliance with the wicked King Ahaziah of Israel for a joint shipbuilding venture. The consequence of this unholy partnership is the destruction of their ships. While Dodavah himself is not an active character in the narrative, his name, meaning "love of Yah," provides a subtle but significant backdrop. It suggests that Eliezer originated from a lineage or household where devotion to Yahweh was a defining characteristic, thereby lending authority and spiritual weight to his prophetic utterance. The name Dodavah stands in stark contrast to King Jehoshaphat's compromised actions, implicitly highlighting the faithfulness that should characterize those who truly "love Yah."
### Related Words & Concepts
* **דּוֹד (dôwd, `{{H1730}}`):** This foundational Hebrew word appears frequently in various contexts. It can refer to a "lover" or "beloved" (e.g., in the Song of Solomon, [[Song of Solomon 1:13]]), an "uncle" (e.g., [[Leviticus 10:4]], [[Jeremiah 32:7]]), or more abstractly, "love." Its presence in Dodavah's name emphasizes the concept of love—either human love for God or divine love for humanity—as a core attribute.
* **יָהּ (Yah):** This is a pervasive theophoric element in Hebrew names, serving as an abbreviation for Yahweh, the covenant name of God. Its inclusion signifies a direct connection to God, often expressing a divine attribute, a parental prayer, or a statement of faith. Numerous biblical names incorporate this element, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, and Nehemiah, underscoring God's presence and activity in the lives of His people.
* **Theophoric Names:** Dodavah is an exemplary instance of a theophoric name, a common feature in ancient Israelite nomenclature. These names were not merely labels but often served as mini-confessions of faith, reflecting the religious convictions of parents, their hopes for their child, or a theological truth about God's character. Examples include Jehoshaphat (`{{H3092}}`, "Yahweh has judged"), Eliezer (`{{H461}}`, "My God is help"), and Jonathan (`{{H3083}}`, "Yahweh has given"). Such names underscore the pervasive spiritual worldview of Israel.
* **Prophetic Lineage:** While the Bible does not explicitly state that Dodavah was a prophet, the fact that his son Eliezer delivered a prophetic message suggests a family environment attuned to God's word and perhaps dedicated to His service, aligning with the meaning of Dodavah's name.
### Theological Significance
The name Dodavah, "love of Yah," holds profound theological significance, even with its singular mention.
* **Affirmation of Divine-Human Love:** The name inherently speaks to the vital concept of love as a cornerstone of the relationship between God and His people. It can be interpreted as an expression of human love *for* God (devotion, faithfulness) or God's love *for* humanity (grace, election), or both. In the context of a personal name, it likely reflects the parents' faith and their desire for their child to embody or experience such a divine connection.
* **Contrast and Call to Fidelity:** The placement of Dodavah's son, Eliezer, in a narrative condemning King Jehoshaphat's unholy alliance, creates a subtle but potent theological contrast. While Jehoshaphat, whose name means "Yahweh has judged," makes a choice that incurs divine displeasure, the prophet stemming from a lineage named "love of Yah" stands as a testament to the proper orientation of God's people. It reinforces the principle that genuine love for Yahweh necessitates unwavering fidelity and precludes compromising alliances that violate His holiness.
* **Theophoric Names as Theological Statements:** Theophoric names like Dodavah were not arbitrary. They served as public and personal theological declarations, reflecting the spiritual climate and core beliefs of a family or an era. Dodavah's name is a beautiful, albeit brief, testament to the centrality of love for God within a faithful Israelite household, reminding us that even in names, profound truths about the divine-human relationship can be etched.
### Summary
Dodavah (`{{H1735}}`, דּוֹדָוָהוּ), a Hebrew proper noun meaning "love of Yah" or "Yah is beloved," appears uniquely in [[2 Chronicles 20:37]]. This name is a composite of דּוֹד (dôwd, `{{H1730}}`), signifying "love" or "beloved," and יָהּ (Yah), a shortened form of Yahweh. Dodavah is identified as the father of Eliezer, a prophet from Mareshah, who delivered a divine message of judgment to King Jehoshaphat. Despite its singular occurrence, the name's rich etymology underscores the profound theological importance of devotion and love for Yahweh within ancient Israel. As a theophoric name, Dodavah serves as a quiet yet powerful confession of faith, subtly contrasting with the compromised actions of the king and reinforcing the enduring call to fidelity to God, particularly within a family lineage that produced a prophet.
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