Bible Dictionary
Delaiah
Delaiah was the name of several men in the Old Testament, including a priestly division leader, a prince who heard Jeremiah’s prophecy, a descendant of David, and the ancestor of a post-exilic family.
Definition
Delaiah is the name of several men in the Old Testament. They include a descendant of David, a leader of the twenty-third priestly course, a prince connected with Jeremiah’s prophecy, the ancestor of a post-exilic family, and the father of Shemaiah.
Biblical Usage
Delaiah’s descendants and offices appear in genealogical, priestly, prophetic, and post-exilic records. One Delaiah heard Jeremiah’s first roll of prophecy and another was associated with the family whose genealogy had been lost after the exile.
Historical Background
The name is explained as “freed by Jehovah” or “God has raised.” The post-exilic Delaiah belonged to the group returning under Zerubbabel.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Freed by Jehovah. (1.) The head of the twenty-third division of the priestly order (1 Chr. 24:18). (2.) A son of Shemaiah, and one of the courtiers to whom Jeremiah’s first roll of prophecy was read (Jer. 36:12). (3.) The head of one of the bands of exiles that returned under Zerubbabel to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:60; Neh. 7:62).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(freed by Jehovah).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>de-la'-ya (delayah, "God has raised"):</p><p>(1) A descendant of David (1Ch 3:24; the King James Version "Dalaiah").</p><p>(2) One of David's priests and leader of the 23rd course (1Ch 24:18).</p><p>(3) One of the princes who pleaded with Jehoiakim not to destroy the roll containing the prophecies of Jeremiah (Jer 36:12,25).</p><p>(4) The ancestor of a post-exilic family whose genealogy was lost (Ezr 2:60; Ne 7:62; 1 Esdras 5:37 margin). See DALAN.</p><p>(5) The father of timorous Shemaiah (Ne 6:10).</p>