Bible Dictionary
Jaddua
Jaddua was one of the leaders who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah. The name was also borne by the last high priest mentioned in the Old Testament.
Definition
Jaddua was the name of a leader who sealed the covenant in Nehemiah’s time and of a later high priest. The name means “known.” The high priest Jaddua was a son of Jonathan or Johanan and the last high priest mentioned in the Old Testament.
Biblical Usage
The first Jaddua joined other leaders in affirming the covenant and their submission to the law. The second appears in the priestly genealogy as the final high priest named in the Old Testament.
Historical Background
The later Jaddua is placed during the reign of Darius the Persian, identified in the supplied material as Darius III, who was overthrown by Alexander the Great. The supplied material also notes that the site and period are connected with Josephus’s account.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Known. (1.) One of the chiefs who subscribed the covenant (Neh. 10:21). (2.) The last high priest mentioned in the Old Testament (Neh. 12:11, 22), sons of Jonathan.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(known).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>jad'-u-a, ja-du'-a (yaddua`, "known"):</p><p>(1) One of the "chiefs of the people" who with Nehemiah sealed the covenant, thus signifying their voluntary acceptance of the law and their solemn promise to submit to its yoke (Ne 10:21 (Hebrew 22)).</p><p>(2) Son of Jonathan or Johanan, and great-grandson of Eliashib, the high priest in Nehemiah's time (Ne 12:11,22). He is the last of the high priests mentioned in the Old Testament, and held office during the reign of Darius the Persian, i.e. Darius III Codomannus, the last king of Persia (336-332 BC), who was overthrown by Alexander the Great. It is doubtless to him that Josephus refers in his romantic account of Alexander's entrance into Jerusalem (Ant., XI, viii, 4 f; vii, 2; viii, 7).</p><p>James Crichton</p>