The Hebrew word Bêdᵉyâh, represented by H912, is the name of an Israelite, Bedeiah. Its definition, "servant of Jehovah," suggests it is likely a shortened form of Obadiah. This name is exceedingly rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible.
The single biblical appearance of H912 is in a list of names found in the book of Ezra. In the specific verse, Bedeiah is named among a group of men who had taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period Ezra 10:35. This context places him within a significant moment of national repentance, where the people of Israel made a covenant to separate from these wives in order to recommit themselves to God's law.
In its sole context, H912 is mentioned alongside other individuals who were part of the same covenant:
- H1141 Bᵉnâyâh (Benaiah): Meaning "Jah has built," this name belongs to another Israelite listed immediately before Bedeiah in the same verse Ezra 10:35.
- H3622 Kᵉlûwhay (Chelluh): Meaning "completed," this name identifies another Israelite listed directly after Bedeiah, marking him as part of the same group confessing their transgression Ezra 10:35.
Despite its single, brief mention, the name H912 carries theological weight based on its meaning and context.
- Identity in Service: The name Bedeiah itself, meaning "servant of Jehovah," signifies an identity rooted in devotion and service to God. This highlights that even individuals whose names proclaimed faithfulness were part of the collective need for repentance.
- Covenant Renewal: The appearance of Bedeiah in Ezra 10 underscores the theme of covenant renewal. His inclusion in the list is part of a larger narrative of the community's return to obedience, demonstrating that repentance was required of all, regardless of their personal name or status.
In summary, H912 is a specific personal name, Bedeiah, whose meaning is "servant of Jehovah." While the individual is mentioned only once in a genealogical list Ezra 10:35, both his name and his historical context point to the important biblical themes of personal identity in God and the necessity of communal repentance and covenant faithfulness.
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