a form for the feminine of יְהוּדִי; a Jewess; Hodiah.
Transliteration:Hôwdîyâh
Pronunciation:ho-dee-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word הוֹדִיָּה (Hôwdîyâh, `{{H1940}}`) is a proper noun, a personal name. While its base definition from Strong's suggests it is "a form for the feminine of יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdî, `{{H3064}}`)," meaning "a Jewess" or "Jewish woman," its actual usage in the biblical text presents a notable discrepancy, as it consistently refers to male individuals. This suggests either a rare instance of a feminine-derived name being applied to males or, more likely, an alternative etymological root. Many scholars propose that Hôwdîyâh is a theophoric name derived from הוֹד (hôd, `{{H1935}}`), meaning "splendor, majesty, glory," combined with the divine element יָהּ (Yah), a shortened form of Yahweh. Under this interpretation, the name would mean "My splendor is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my majesty." This alternative etymology provides a more coherent explanation for the male usage of the name in Scripture.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Hôwdîyâh (Hodiah) appears five times in the Old Testament, always referring to a male individual:
* **[[1 Chronicles 4:19]]**: "And the sons of Hodiah's wife, the sister of Naham, were the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maacathite." Here, Hodiah is mentioned within the genealogies of Judah, clearly identified as a male through the phrase "Hodiah's wife." This context places him within the lineage of the tribe of Judah.
* **[[Nehemiah 9:5]]**: "Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, 'Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting! Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise!'" In this passage, Hodiah is listed among the Levites who led the great prayer of confession and praise during the post-exilic covenant renewal. This indicates a role of spiritual leadership and participation in communal worship.
* **[[Nehemiah 10:10]]**: "And the Levites: Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel, and their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan..." Again, Hodiah is listed as a Levite, further confirming his association with the priestly and worship functions of the restored community.
* **[[Nehemiah 10:13]]**: "Hodiah, Bani, Beninu." This Hodiah is listed among the "chiefs of the people" who sealed the covenant in the days of Nehemiah. This suggests a position of civic leadership and commitment to the Mosaic Law.
* **[[Nehemiah 10:18]]**: "Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai." This is another listing of "chiefs of the people" who sealed the covenant. It is possible this refers to a third individual named Hodiah, or a re-listing of one of the previous chiefs, underscoring the prevalence of the name within the leadership of the returning exiles.
Across these occurrences, Hodiah consistently appears as a male name, associated with both the tribal lineage of Judah and, more prominently, with the religious and civic leadership of the post-exilic community in Nehemiah.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words depend on the chosen etymology:
* **If from יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdî, `{{H3064}}`):** This word signifies "Jew" or "Judean," derived from יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwḏâh, `{{H3063}}`), the name of the patriarch Judah, his tribe, and the later kingdom. This connection emphasizes ethnic and tribal identity.
* **If from הוֹד (hôd, `{{H1935}}`):** This noun means "splendor, majesty, glory, honor, beauty." It is frequently used in biblical poetry and theological contexts to describe the attributes of God or the glory bestowed by Him.
* **Theophoric names:** Hodiah belongs to a category of Hebrew names that incorporate a divine element (Yahweh), reflecting a theological statement or dedication. Other examples include Isaiah ("Yahweh is salvation") or Jeremiah ("Yahweh exalts").
* **Covenant Renewal:** The prominent role of multiple individuals named Hodiah in Nehemiah's account of covenant sealing and worship highlights the concepts of commitment to God's law, national identity, and spiritual revival in the post-exilic period.
* **Levitical Service:** The identification of Hodiah as a Levite connects him to the sacred duties of temple service, teaching, and leading worship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Hôwdîyâh is most profound when understood through its likely etymology, "My splendor is Yahweh." This name is a powerful declaration of faith, asserting that God alone is the source of true glory, honor, and majesty for the individual. For those bearing this name, particularly the Levites and chiefs in Nehemiah, their very identity was a testimony to divine sovereignty and the source of their worth.
* **Declaration of Divine Glory:** The name posits Yahweh as the ultimate splendor, contrasting with any human or earthly source of honor. This resonates with the Levites' role, whose service was to magnify God's name and facilitate the people's worship of His glory.
* **Humility and Dependence:** To declare "My splendor is Yahweh" is an act of humility, acknowledging that any inherent worth or honor comes directly from God. This aligns with the post-exilic community's renewed focus on dependence on God after the discipline of exile.
* **Covenant Faithfulness:** The individuals named Hodiah in Nehemiah actively participated in sealing the covenant, signifying a personal and communal commitment to God's law. Their names served as living reminders of the theological foundation of their renewed vows, that their identity and future lay in God's majesty and faithfulness.
* **Identity in God:** In a time of rebuilding and re-establishing national and religious identity, names like Hodiah would have served as powerful affirmations of the community's core belief – that their true identity and glory were found in their relationship with Yahweh.
### Summary
Hôwdîyâh (`{{H1940}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a male personal name appearing five times in the Old Testament. While Strong's defines it as "a Jewess," derived from יְהוּדִי (`{{H3064}}`), its consistent male usage in Scripture, particularly for Levites and leaders in Nehemiah, strongly suggests an alternative and more fitting etymology: "My splendor is Yahweh," derived from הוֹד (`{{H1935}}`) and the divine name Yahweh. This interpretation imbues the name with significant theological weight, reflecting a profound declaration of faith in God as the sole source of honor and glory. The individuals named Hodiah played key roles in the genealogies of Judah and, more notably, in the spiritual and civic leadership during the post-exilic period, participating in the great prayer of confession and sealing the covenant. Their name thus served as a constant reminder of their identity rooted in God's majesty and their commitment to His covenant.
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