Jozabad
“Yahweh has bestowed (contraction of Jehozabad)”
Summary
A name borne by several men in the Old Testament, including warriors who joined David, Levites who served in the Temple, and Israelites who divorced foreign wives.
☩David's Warriors
One Jozabad was a Gederathite and one of the famous Benjamite archers who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:4). Two other men named Jozabad were captains of thousands from the tribe of Manasseh who deserted Saul and reinforced David when he retreated to Ziklag around 1053 BC (1 Chronicles 12:20). Some scholars suggest the second Manassite name may have been erroneously repeated.
☩Levites in Temple Service
A Levite named Jozabad was among those charged with the care of Temple offerings under Cononiah and Shimei during Hezekiah's reformation around 726 BC (2 Chronicles 31:13). Another chief Levite named Jozabad made offerings for the renewal of Temple services under Josiah around 623 BC (2 Chronicles 35:9). A son of Jeshua named Jozabad was among the Levites who weighed the precious metals and vessels offered for the Temple by returning exiles under Ezra (Ezra 8:33), and likely the same person had oversight of the outward matters of the house of God (Nehemiah 11:16). He probably also assisted Ezra in expounding the Law to the people (Nehemiah 8:7).
☩Those Who Divorced Foreign Wives
After the return from Babylonian exile, an Israelite priest of the sons of Pashur named Jozabad divorced his Gentile wife (Ezra 10:22). A Levite named Jozabad also divorced his foreign wife in compliance with Ezra's reform (Ezra 10:23).
Related Verses9 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jozabad," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Jozabad," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Jozabad," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).