Noadiah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Nehemiah. The name "Noadiah" means "the Lord has met" or "the Lord has appointed." This entry will explore the context and significance of Noadiah within the biblical narrative.

Biblical Reference:

Noadiah is referenced in Nehemiah 6:14, where Nehemiah, the governor of Judah, mentions her in a prayer: "Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me" .

Context and Role:

Noadiah is identified as a prophetess, a role that, in the biblical context, typically involves conveying messages from God to His people. However, unlike other prophetesses in the Bible, such as Deborah or Huldah, Noadiah is mentioned in a negative light. Nehemiah's prayer suggests that she, along with other prophets, was involved in efforts to intimidate and discourage him from completing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.

The Book of Nehemiah details the challenges faced by the Jewish community in Jerusalem as they sought to rebuild the city walls after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah, serving as governor under the Persian king Artaxerxes, led this effort amidst opposition from surrounding adversaries, including Tobiah and Sanballat. These adversaries sought to undermine Nehemiah's leadership and halt the reconstruction efforts through various means, including intimidation and false prophecy.

Significance:

Noadiah's mention in Nehemiah highlights the presence of internal opposition within the Jewish community during this critical period of restoration. Her role as a prophetess who opposed Nehemiah underscores the complexity of leadership and the challenges of discerning true prophetic voices from false ones. In the biblical narrative, true prophets are those who faithfully convey God's will, while false prophets often serve their own interests or those of opposing forces.

The inclusion of Noadiah in Nehemiah's prayer for divine justice reflects the broader theme of reliance on God for protection and vindication against adversaries. Nehemiah's leadership is characterized by his commitment to prayer and dependence on God, as he navigates both external threats and internal dissent.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, Noadiah's opposition to Nehemiah serves as a cautionary example of the potential for spiritual leaders to be swayed by personal or political motives. It emphasizes the importance of discernment and faithfulness to God's purposes, especially in times of communal rebuilding and renewal.

Noadiah's brief mention in the Bible reminds readers of the ongoing spiritual battle faced by God's people and the need for steadfastness in the face of opposition. Her account, though limited in detail, contributes to the larger narrative of God's faithfulness in guiding and protecting His people through challenges and adversities.Noadiah

witness, or ornament, of the Lord

Meeting with the Lord.

(1.) A Levite who returned from Babylon (Ezra 8:33).

(2.) A false prophetess who assisted Tobiah and Sanballat against the Jews (Nehemiah 6:14). Being bribed by them, she tried to stir up discontent among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and so to embarrass Nehemiah in his great work of rebuilding the ruined walls of the city.

NOADIAH

no-a-di'-a (no`adhyah, "tryst of Yah"; Noadei):

(1) Son of Binnui, one of the Levites to whom Ezra entrusted the gold and silver and sacred vessels which he brought up from Babylon (Ezra 8:33); also called MOETH (which see), son of Sabannus (1 Esdras 8:63).

(2) A prophetess associated with Tobiah and Sanballat in opposition to Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:14).

5129. Noadyah -- "meeting with Yah," a Levite, also a prophetess
... Noadyah. 5130 . "meeting with Yah," a Levite, also a prophetess. Transliteration:
Noadyah Phonetic Spelling: (no-ad-yaw') Short Definition: Noadiah. ... Noadiah. ...
/hebrew/5129.htm - 6k

Nehemiah, the Praying Builder
... and then again he turns to God in prayer: "My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat
according to these their works and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/viii nehemiah the praying builder.htm

Noadiah (2 Occurrences)
... of the city. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NOADIAH. no-a-di ... 6:14).
Multi-Version Concordance Noadiah (2 Occurrences). Ezra 8:33 On ...
/n/noadiah.htm - 8k

No-adi'ah (2 Occurrences)
No-adi'ah. Noadiah, No-adi'ah. Noah . Multi-Version Concordance No-adi'ah
(2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Noadiah, No-adi'ah. Noah . Reference Bible.
/n/no-adi'ah.htm - 7k

No (18543 Occurrences)

/n/no.htm - 9k

Woman (4043 Occurrences)
... in Scripture as having been endowed with prophetic gifts, as Miriam (Exodus 15:20),
Deborah (Judges 4:4, 5), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14 ...
/w/woman.htm - 45k

Neariah (3 Occurrences)
... In both instances the Septuagint reads "Noadiah.". Multi-Version Concordance Neariah
(3 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 3:22 The sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. ...
/n/neariah.htm - 7k

Jozabad (10 Occurrences)
... hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of
Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of ...
/j/jozabad.htm - 11k

Jo'zabad (7 Occurrences)
... hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of
Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of ...
/j/jo'zabad.htm - 8k

Intimidate (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 6:14 Keep in mind, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat and what they did, and
Noadiah, the woman prophet, and the rest of the prophets whose purpose was to ...
/i/intimidate.htm - 7k

Frighten (15 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 6:14 Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works,
and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would ...
/f/frighten.htm - 10k

Tobijah (17 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 6:14 My God, remember Tobijah and Sanballat according to these their works,
and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets who would ...
/t/tobijah.htm - 12k

What is a prophetess? Does the Bible mention any prophetesses? | GotQuestions.org

Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem? | GotQuestions.org

How many prophets are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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