### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **Pᵉdâyâh**, represented by `{{H6305}}`, means **"Jah has ransomed"**. It appears 8 times across 8 unique verses in the Bible. The name is given to at least six different Israelites, highlighting its presence across various families and roles during key periods of Israel's history, particularly in the context of the monarchy and the post-exilic restoration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, individuals named **Pedaiah** hold positions of trust and importance. One **Pedaiah** was a Levite `{{H3881}}` appointed as a treasurer `{{H686}}` over the temple treasuries `{{H214}}` because he was "counted faithful" `{{H539}}`, tasked to distribute provisions to his brethren `{{H251}}` [[Nehemiah 13:13]]. Another **Pedaiah** is listed as a builder who repaired a section of Jerusalem's wall [[Nehemiah 3:25]]. The name also features prominently in significant genealogies; **Pedaiah** is the grandfather of King Jehoiakim `{{H3079}}` [[2 Kings 23:36]] and is identified as the father of Zerubbabel `{{H2216}}`, a key leader in the return from exile [[1 Chronicles 3:19]]. A **Pedaiah** also stood with Ezra `{{H5830}}` during the public reading of the Law, signifying a role in the nation's spiritual renewal [[Nehemiah 8:4]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the context and significance of the name **Pedaiah**:
* `{{H2216}}` **Zᵉrubbâbel** (descended of Babylon): Pedaiah is recorded as the father of Zerubbabel [[1 Chronicles 3:19]], a pivotal figure who led the first group of exiles back to Judah and oversaw the rebuilding of the temple.
* `{{H3881}}` **Lêvîyîy** (a Levite): One Pedaiah is explicitly identified as a Levite, a descendant of Levi, placing him within the tribe set apart for religious service and temple duties [[Nehemiah 13:13]].
* `{{H214}}` **'ôwtsâr** (a depository, treasure-house): This word is used for the treasuries that Pedaiah was appointed to oversee, highlighting his role in managing the sacred resources of the community [[Nehemiah 13:13]].
* `{{H2505}}` **châlaq** (to apportion or separate): This describes Pedaiah's primary duty as a treasurer, which was to distribute portions to his fellow Levites, a task requiring integrity and faithfulness [[Nehemiah 13:13]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H6305}}` is rooted in its meaning, "Jah has ransomed."
* **A Declaration of Redemption:** The name itself is a statement of faith in God's power to redeem and deliver His people. The individuals bearing this name often appear during the period of restoration after the Babylonian exile, a time when the theme of being ransomed by God was particularly potent.
* **Faithful Stewardship:** The Pedaiah mentioned in Nehemiah was not only a Levite but was also "counted faithful" `{{H539}}` in his duty to manage and distribute from the treasuries [[Nehemiah 13:13]]. This links the concept of being ransomed by God to the responsibility of serving His people with integrity.
* **Covenantal Lineage:** The name Pedaiah is embedded in the royal line of David as the father of Zerubbabel `{{H2216}}` and an ancestor of King Jehoiakim `{{H3079}}` ([[1 Chronicles 3:19]], [[2 Kings 23:36]]). This places the theme of "Jah has ransomed" directly within the lineage through which God's covenant promises were advanced.
### Summary
In summary, **Pedaiah** `{{H6305}}` is more than a personal name; it is a recurring declaration of God's redemptive character. Found across 8 verses, it identifies individuals in roles of leadership, stewardship, and national restoration. From a Levite treasurer managing temple resources to the father of the restoration leader Zerubbabel `{{H2216}}`, the name **Pedaiah** consistently appears in contexts that affirm its meaning: "Jah has ransomed." It serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving and providing for His people through specific, dedicated individuals.
TRV