or פְּדָיָהוּ; from פָּדָה and יָהּ; Jah has ransomed; Pedajah, the name of six Israelites; Pedaiah.
Transliteration:Pᵉdâyâh
Pronunciation:ped-aw-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun Pᵉdâyâh (פְּדָיָה, `{{H6305}}`) is a theophoric name, meaning "Jah has ransomed" or "Yahweh has redeemed." It is derived from the verbal root *pādāh* (פָּדָה, `{{H6299}}`), meaning "to ransom," "to redeem," or "to deliver," combined with *Yah* (יָהּ, `{{H3050}}`), a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. As a personal name, its semantic range is fixed by this inherent theological declaration. It functions as a declarative statement about God's character and action, embedded within an individual's identity. The name itself serves as a testimony to the redemptive power and faithfulness of the God of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Pedaiah appears in the Old Testament as the name of six different Israelites, underscoring the prevalence of theophoric names that express core theological truths.
1. **Son of Jeconiah (or Jehoiachin):** Pedaiah is listed in the Davidic genealogy in [[1 Chronicles 3:18-19]] as a son of Jeconiah (King Jehoiachin) and the father of Zerubbabel. This lineage is particularly significant as Zerubbabel played a crucial role in the post-exilic restoration, leading the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple. The presence of a name meaning "Yah has ransomed" within this crucial Davidic line, especially after the period of exile (which itself necessitated divine redemption), carries profound theological weight. While some interpretations suggest Pedaiah was Zerubbabel's uncle (based on [[Matthew 1:12]] and [[Luke 3:27]] listing Shealtiel as Zerubbabel's father), the Chronicler's account clearly states Pedaiah as the father, emphasizing a direct lineage that points to God's continued redemptive work through the royal line.
2. **Father of Joel:** In [[1 Chronicles 27:20]], Pedaiah is identified as the father of Joel, who was a chief of the half-tribe of Manasseh during the reign of King David. This occurrence places the name in a military-administrative context, highlighting the presence of faith-affirming names even among those in positions of secular leadership.
3. **Son of Parosh:** [[Nehemiah 3:25]] mentions Pedaiah, son of Parosh, as one of those who helped repair the wall of Jerusalem during Nehemiah's reconstruction efforts. His section of the wall was opposite the Ophel and near the king's upper house. This context places Pedaiah among those actively participating in the physical and spiritual restoration of Jerusalem after the exile, a work that was itself a testament to God's redemptive hand.
4. **One of the Levites with Ezra:** In [[Nehemiah 8:4]], Pedaiah is listed among the Levites who stood with Ezra on the wooden platform when Ezra read the Law to the people. This Pedaiah played a role in the spiritual renewal and instruction of the community, underscoring the deep connection between God's redemptive acts and His revealed word.
5. **Son of Kolaiah:** [[Nehemiah 11:7]] identifies Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, a Benjamite, as one of the heads of families who dwelt in Jerusalem after the return from exile. This indicates his role in the repopulation and re-establishment of the holy city.
6. **One of the Treasurers:** Finally, [[Nehemiah 13:13]] records Pedaiah as one of the treasurers appointed by Nehemiah to oversee the storehouses of the Temple. This administrative role in managing the Temple's resources further illustrates the multifaceted contributions of individuals bearing this name, all serving the community in various capacities under God's overarching providence.
Across these occurrences, the name Pedaiah consistently appears in contexts of national and spiritual restoration, leadership, and service, particularly during and after the Babylonian exile, a period when the theme of divine redemption would have been acutely felt.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic root of Pedaiah is *pādāh* (פָּדָה, `{{H6299}}`), which signifies "to ransom," "to redeem," "to deliver," or "to buy back." This verb is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe God's saving acts:
* Redemption from slavery: God redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage ([[Deuteronomy 7:8]]).
* Redemption from death or destruction: God redeems from the pit ([[Psalm 103:4]]) and from all trouble ([[Psalm 25:22]]).
* Redemption of the firstborn: The firstborn were to be redeemed ([[Exodus 13:13]]).
Other related Hebrew terms for redemption include *gā'al* (גָּאַל, `{{H1350}}`), which carries the nuance of a kinsman-redeemer, and *kāphar* (כָּפַר, `{{H3722}}`), meaning "to atone" or "to make propitiation." While distinct in their semantic nuances, all three terms contribute to the rich tapestry of biblical redemption theology.
The theophoric element *Yah* (יָהּ, `{{H3050}}`) links the name directly to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This is a common feature in Hebrew names (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hezekiah), where the name itself becomes a miniature theological statement about God's character or action. The combination in Pedaiah specifically attributes the act of ransoming directly to God.
### Theological Significance
The name Pedaiah, "Yah has ransomed," carries profound theological significance, serving as a constant reminder of God's redemptive character and action.
1. **Divine Initiative in Redemption:** The name unequivocally declares that redemption is an act initiated and accomplished by God. It is not a human achievement but a divine gift. This aligns with the overarching biblical narrative, where God consistently acts to deliver His people from bondage, sin, and death.
2. **Testimony to God's Faithfulness:** For a people who experienced the profound trauma of exile and the subsequent restoration, a name like Pedaiah would have been a powerful testimony to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises. It affirmed that despite their unfaithfulness, God remained true to His character as the Redeemer.
3. **Hope in Times of Adversity:** Bearing such a name would have instilled hope and assurance. In a world often marked by oppression and suffering, the name Pedaiah served as a personal and communal confession that God is the ultimate deliverer, capable of ransoming His people from any predicament.
4. **Connection to Messianic Hope:** The Pedaiah in the Davidic line (father/uncle of Zerubbabel) subtly connects this powerful redemptive theme to the lineage from which the Messiah would come. Zerubbabel, a figure of hope for the post-exilic community, was a type of the coming King. This suggests that the ultimate, most complete "ransoming" would be accomplished through a descendant of David, pointing forward to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Redeemer.
5. **Personal Confession:** The choice of such a name by parents was a public declaration of their faith and trust in God's redemptive power. It reflected a worldview where God's active involvement in human history, particularly His role as rescuer, was central.
### Summary
Pedaiah (פְּדָיָה, `{{H6305}}`), meaning "Jah has ransomed," is a significant Hebrew proper noun that encapsulates a core theological truth about God's character. As a theophoric name combining *pādāh* (to ransom) and *Yah* (a form of Yahweh), it explicitly attributes the act of redemption to the God of Israel. Its occurrences in the Old Testament, particularly among individuals involved in the post-exilic restoration and within the Davidic lineage, underscore its profound meaning. The name serves as a constant reminder of God's divine initiative in redemption, His unwavering faithfulness, and the hope He provides in times of adversity. It stands as a powerful, enduring confession of God as the ultimate Redeemer of His people.
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