Jo'zadak, also known as Jehozadak, is a significant figure in the post-exilic period of Israel's history. He is primarily recognized as the father of Jeshua (Joshua) the high priest, who played a crucial role in the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian exile. Jo'zadak's lineage is of particular importance as it traces back to Aaron, the brother of Moses, establishing his rightful place in the priestly line.

Lineage and Historical Context

Jo'zadak was the son of Seraiah, the last high priest before the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Seraiah was executed by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, as recorded in 2 Kings 25:18-21. Jo'zadak himself was taken into captivity to Babylon, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:15: "Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar."

During the Babylonian exile, Jo'zadak's role as a high priest was largely titular, as the Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, and the Jewish people were without a central place of worship. Despite this, his position as a high priest in exile maintained the continuity of the priestly line, which was crucial for the restoration of worship practices upon the return to Jerusalem.

Return from Exile and Legacy

Jo'zadak's son, Jeshua, was among the first wave of exiles to return to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel, as described in Ezra 2:2. Jeshua, alongside Zerubbabel, was instrumental in laying the foundation of the Second Temple, as noted in Ezra 3:2: "Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God."

The role of Jo'zadak, though not directly involved in the rebuilding efforts, is significant through his son Jeshua, who served as the high priest during this pivotal time. The priestly line of Jo'zadak continued to be influential in the religious life of the Jewish people, as seen in the books of Haggai and Zechariah, where Jeshua is frequently mentioned.

Biblical References

Jo'zadak is referenced in several key biblical passages, which highlight his lineage and the continuation of the priestly line:

· 1 Chronicles 6:14-15 : "Azariah was the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak. Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar."
· Ezra 3:2 : "Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God."
· Haggai 1:1 : "In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest."

Jo'zadak's legacy is preserved through the faithful service of his descendants, who played a vital role in the spiritual renewal of the Jewish people during the post-exilic period. His life and lineage underscore the importance of maintaining religious and cultural identity even in times of adversity.Jo'zadak (5 Occurrences)

Ezra 3:2
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brothers, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
(See RSV)

Ezra 3:8
Now in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all those who were come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house of Yahweh.
(See RSV)

Ezra 5:2
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
(See RSV)

Ezra 10:18
Among the sons of the priests there were found who had married foreign women: namely, of the sons of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and his brothers, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
(See RSV)

Nehemiah 12:26
These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest the scribe.
(See RSV)

Jo'zadak (5 Occurrences)
Jo'zadak. Jozadak, Jo'zadak. Jubal . Multi-Version Concordance Jo'zadak
(5 Occurrences). Ezra 3:2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of ...
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Jozadak (5 Occurrences)

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Jubal (1 Occurrence)

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