Koa
“Possibly 'noble' or uncertain proper name”
Summary
A people or district mentioned by Ezekiel as among the enemies who would come against Jerusalem, likely located northeast of Babylonia.
☩Identity and Significance
Koa appears in Ezekiel's prophecy as one of the peoples who would join Babylon in punishing unfaithful Jerusalem. The name occurs alongside Pekod and Shoa, suggesting a group or district in the region of Mesopotamia. The identity of Koa has been variously interpreted. Some scholars treat it as a proper name referring to a specific people northeast of Babylonia, while others follow the Vulgate in treating it as a common noun meaning "prince" or "nobleman." The context of the passage describes former lovers—nations with whom Judah had formed sinful alliances—who would become her oppressors. Whether Koa refers to a specific ethnic group or is a symbolic term for Babylonian nobility, it represents the judgment that would come upon Jerusalem through the very peoples she had courted for political alliance.
Related Verses1 mention
Ezekiel· 1 verse
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Koa," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Koa," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Koa," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Koa," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Koach," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).