### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **Hôwdᵉvâh**, represented by `{{H1937}}`, is defined as **Hodevah (or Hodevjah), an Israelite**. It is noted as a form of הוֹדַוְיָה. This name appears just **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, indicating its very specific and limited use.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H1937}}` is in [[Nehemiah 7:43]], which is part of a genealogical record. It identifies a specific ancestral line within the tribe of Levi. The verse lists "the children of **Hodevah**" alongside the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel as part of a group of seventy-four Levites who were accounted for. This placement establishes **Hodevah** as the progenitor of a specific Levitical family within the post-exilic community.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words appear in the immediate context of `{{H1937}}`, clarifying its role in the biblical narrative:
* `{{H3881}}` **Lêvîyîy** (a Levite or descendant of Levi): This term defines the tribe to which the descendants of Hodevah belong. The Levites were tasked with specific religious duties within Israel [[Nehemiah 9:5]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): Used to denote descendants, this word establishes the lineage being counted. The phrase "children of **Hodevah**" signifies a family line traced back to this individual [[Nehemiah 7:43]].
* `{{H3442}}` **Yêshûwaʻ** (he will save; Jeshua, the name of ten Israelites): Jeshua is the head of another Levitical family listed in the same verse, highlighting the shared context of Levitical families returning to Jerusalem [[Nehemiah 7:43]].
* `{{H6934}}` **Qadmîyʼêl** (presence of God; Kadmiel, the name of three Israelites): Kadmiel is also named as the head of a Levitical family, reinforcing the passage's focus on the careful documentation of the priestly and Levitical lines [[Nehemiah 7:43]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H1937}}` is rooted entirely in its genealogical function.
* **Genealogical Identity:** The mention of **Hodevah** underscores the critical importance of lineage for re-establishing order and assigning roles in the community returning from exile. Identifying the "children of **Hodevah**" was part of the effort to restore the nation's structure [[Nehemiah 7:43]].
* **Community Restoration:** The counting of Hodevah's descendants illustrates the biblical theme of God preserving a faithful remnant. This specific enumeration of Levites was essential for reconstituting temple worship and the teaching of the law [[Nehemiah 8:9]].
* **Levitical Role:** By being included in this list, the family of **Hodevah** is confirmed in its role as Levites `{{H3881}}`, a tribe set apart for sacred service and supported by the community as they had no inheritance of their own [[Deuteronomy 14:29]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1937}}` **Hôwdᵉvâh** is a proper name whose importance comes from its single appearance in a specific historical and genealogical record. Its significance lies not in a broad theological definition but in its function to document the remnant of the Levites returning from exile. The name **Hodevah** serves as a marker for a specific family line, highlighting the themes of preservation, lineage, and the restoration of worship in Jerusalem [[Nehemiah 7:43]].
TRV