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יְדָיָה

𐤉𐤃𐤉𐤄

Yedayah

H3042 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ידע to know, recognize, acknowledge

Definition

Personal name meaning 'Yahweh has known' or 'Yahweh is known.' Used as an individual name, most frequently as a priest's name in post-exilic texts. Primary sense is as a proper noun for a Israelite male, with possible theophoric nuance indicating relation to Yahweh's knowledge or choosing.

Semantic Range

proper name, person known or recognized by Yahweh, a member of a priestly family, personal name in genealogical or post-exilic priestly lists

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb יָדַע (to know) and the theophoric suffix יָהּ (Yah, a short form of the divine name Yahweh). The name reflects a construction common in biblical Hebrew personal names where the divine name is attached as a suffix to a verbal or nominal root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יְדָיָה appears several times in post-exilic lists (e.g., Nehemiah, Ezra), especially associated with priestly families. Unlike Strong's gloss, which suggests 'praised of Yahweh,' the more linguistically accurate understanding is 'Yahweh has known' or 'Yahweh is known.' The use of the root יָדַע ('to know') in personal names is relatively common, often expressing the idea of being known, chosen, or recognized by the deity. English translations often render יְדָיָה as 'Jedaiah,' following the Latinized tradition. In earlier periods, the name is not attested, but in the Second Temple period it is associated with Judahite priestly service. This name is distinct from other similar theophoric names such as יְהוֹיָדָע (Jehoiada, 'Yahweh knows'). The English word 'Jew' that sometimes appears in older translations for descendants of Judah is anachronistic for this period and not related to the meaning of יְדָיָה.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָדָה and יָהּ; praised of Jah; Jedajah, the name of two Israelites; Jedaiah.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ידע (y-d-ʿ) — to know, recognize, acknowledge

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1668 דָּא Know!
H1843 דֵּעַ Know!
H1844 דֵּעָה perceptive knowledge
H1845 דְּעוּאֵל God Knows
H1847 דַּעַת by his knowledge

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3042-01 יְדָיָ֥ה yedayah HNp Jedaiah Yahweh-has-known 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3042-01 Nehemiah 3:10 יְדָיָ֥ה yedayah HNp Jedaiah Yahweh-has-known
H3042-01 1 Chronicles 4:37 יְדָיָ֥ה yedayah HNp Jedaiah Yahweh-has-known
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