Bible Dictionary
Zebadiah
Zebadiah, meaning “Jehovah has bestowed,” was the name of several Old Testament men, including Levites, Benjamites, a military officer of David, and others who served or returned from exile.
Definition
Zebadiah, meaning “Jehovah has bestowed,” was the name of several Israelites. They included Levites, Benjamites, a ruler in Judah, a Korahite doorkeeper, a Davidic army officer, and men associated with the return from Babylon.
Biblical Usage
Zebadiah served in varied roles: teaching the Torah under Jehoshaphat, judging civil controversies, guarding the temple, serving in David’s army, and returning from exile. Others bearing the name had married foreign wives.
Historical Background
The name occurs in genealogical, administrative, military, temple, and postexilic records. Some manuscripts use Zechariah in place of Zebadiah in certain passages.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Gift of Jehovah. (1.) A son of Asahel, Joab’s brother (1 Chr. 27:7). (2.) A Levite who took part as one of the teachers in the system of national education instituted by Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 17:7, 8). (3.) The son of Ishmael, “the ruler of the house of Judah in all the king’s matters” (2 Chr. 19:8-11). (4.) A son of Beriah (1 Chr. 8:15). (5.) A Korhite porter of the Lord’s house (1 Chr. 26:2). Three or four others of this name are also mentioned.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>zeb-a-di'-a</p><p>(1) zebhadhyaha,</p><p>(2) zebhadhyah, "Yah has bestowed";</p><p>the form (1) is the Hebrew name in (1), (a), (b), (2), below; the form (2) in the rest. Some manuscripts have Zechariah in (1), (a), (b), (3)).</p><p>Compare ZABDI; ZABDIEL:</p><p>(1) Levites:</p><p>(a) a Korahite doorkeeper of David's reign (1Ch 26:2);</p><p>(b) one of the Levites sent by King Jehoshaphat to teach the Torah in Judah (2Ch 17:8).</p><p>(2) Son of Ishmael (2Ch 19:11); "ruler of the house of Judah in all the king's (Jehoshaphat's) matters," i.e. judge in civil cases, the "controversies" of 2Ch 19:8.</p><p>(3) Benjamites, perhaps descended from Ehud (see Curtis, Chron., 158 ff):</p><p>(a) In 1Ch 8:15;</p><p>(b) in 8:17, where the name may be a dittography from 8:15.</p><p>(4) A Benjamite recruit of David at Ziklag (1Ch 12:7 (Hebrew verse 8)).</p><p>(5) One of David's army officers, son and successor of Asahel (1Ch 27:7).</p><p>(6) One of those who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem with Ezra (Ezr 8:8) = "Zaraias" of 1 Esdras 8:34.</p><p>(7) One of those who had married foreign wives (Ezr 10:20) = "Zabdeus" of 1 Esdras 9:21.</p><p>David Francis Roberts</p>