Besodeiah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Nehemiah. The name Besodeiah is of Hebrew origin, and while its exact meaning is not definitively known, it is often interpreted as "in the counsel of the LORD" or "with the secret of the LORD." This name reflects a common practice in ancient Hebrew culture where names often carried significant meanings or were indicative of personal or familial attributes.

Biblical Reference:

Besodeiah is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:6, which is part of the account detailing the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah. The verse reads: "Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars." (Nehemiah 3:6). This passage highlights the collaborative effort among the Israelites to restore the city’s fortifications after the Babylonian exile.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Book of Nehemiah is set during the Persian period, specifically in the 5th century BC, when the Jewish people were allowed to return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. Nehemiah, serving as a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia, was granted permission to lead the effort to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, which were in ruins. This reconstruction was crucial for the protection and re-establishment of the Jewish community in their ancestral homeland.

Besodeiah's mention, though brief, places him within the context of this significant period of restoration and renewal for the Jewish people. His son, Meshullam, is noted as one of the key figures involved in the repair work, specifically on the Old Gate, which was an essential part of the city's defenses and infrastructure.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the involvement of individuals like Meshullam son of Besodeiah in the rebuilding efforts underscores the communal nature of God's work among His people. The restoration of Jerusalem's walls was not only a physical reconstruction but also a spiritual renewal, symbolizing the re-establishment of the covenant community in the land promised to their forefathers.

The mention of Besodeiah, though indirect, serves as a reminder of the importance of family lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative. It reflects the continuity of faith and duty passed down through generations, as well as the collective responsibility of the community to uphold and restore the worship and laws of God.

Conclusion:

While Besodeiah himself is not a central figure in the biblical narrative, his mention in the context of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls highlights the broader theme of restoration and faithfulness to God's covenant. His legacy, through his son Meshullam, contributes to the overarching account of God's providence and the resilience of His people in the face of adversity.Besodeiah

counsel of the Lord

Besodeiah

(n the secret of the Lord) father of one of the repairers of the wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 3:6)

BESODEIAH

bes-o-de'-ya, bes-o-di'-a (becodheyah, "in the confidence or counsel of Yah"; compare Jeremiah 23:18, 22; and HPN, 207, 221, 286): Father of Meshullam, the builder (Nehemiah 3:6).

1152. Besodeyah -- an Israelite
... Besodeyah. 1153 . an Israelite. Transliteration: Besodeyah Phonetic Spelling:
(bes-o-deh-yaw') Short Definition: Besodeiah. ... NASB Word Usage Besodeiah (1). ...
/hebrew/1152.htm - 6kBesodeiah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BESODEIAH. bes-o-de'-ya, bes ... 3:6).
Multi-Version Concordance Besodeiah (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 3:6 ...
/b/besodeiah.htm - 7k

Besodei'ah (1 Occurrence)
Besodei'ah. Besodeiah, Besodei'ah. Besodiah . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). Besodeiah, Besodei'ah. Besodiah . Reference Bible.
/b/besodei'ah.htm - 6k

Joiada (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:6 The old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son
of Besodeiah; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and ...
/j/joiada.htm - 8k

Joi'ada (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:6 And the gate of the old city repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and
Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the ...
/j/joi'ada.htm - 7k

Repaired (46 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:6 The old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son
of Besodeiah; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and ...
/r/repaired.htm - 21k

Meshul'lam (23 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:6 And the gate of the old city repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and
Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the ...
/m/meshul'lam.htm - 12k

Pase'ah (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:6 And the gate of the old city repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and
Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the ...
/p/pase'ah.htm - 7k

Paseah (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:6 The old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son
of Besodeiah; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and ...
/p/paseah.htm - 8k

Proper (62 Occurrences)
... bosheth, "man of shame"; or (b) an adjective and a noun, as Jedidiah, "beloved of
Yahweh"; or (c) a preposition and one or more nouns, as Besodeiah, "in the ...
/p/proper.htm - 57k

Besmear (1 Occurrence)

/b/besmear.htm - 6k

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