Heldai(heleb)
“Worldly or transient”
Summary
Heldai (also called Heled and Heleb) was a descendant of Othniel who commanded the twelfth division of David's forces; another Heldai was among those who returned from Babylon and participated in Zechariah's symbolic crowning.
☩David's Captain
Heldai the Netophathite was a descendant of Othniel and commander of the twelfth monthly division (24,000 men) of David's military organization. He is called Heled in 1 Chronicles 11:30 and Heleb in 2 Samuel 23:29, where his father's name is given as Baanah. His hometown Netophah was near Bethlehem.
☩Post-Exilic Heldai
Another Heldai was one of those recently returned from the Babylonian captivity whom the prophet Zechariah was instructed to visit. Gold and silver from him and others were to be fashioned into crowns for the high priest Joshua as a symbol of the future Messiah's advent. In Zechariah 6:14, this person is called Helem, possibly a variant name or title.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Heldai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Heldai," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Heldai," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Heldai," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).