Original Word: זַבְדִּיאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Zabdiy'el
Pronunciation: zab-dee-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (zab-dee-ale')
KJV: Zabdiel
NASB: Zabdiel
Word Origin: [from H2065 (זֶבֶד - gift) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. gift of God

Zabdiel

From zebed and 'el; gift of God: zabdiel, the name of two Israelites -- Zabdiel.

see HEBREW zebed

see HEBREW 'el

Word Origin
from zebed and el
Definition
"my gift is God," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Zabdiel (2).

זַבְדִיאֵל proper name, masculine (my gift is God) —

1 father of one of David's officers 1 Chronicles 27:2.

2 a prominent Hebrew in Nehemiah's time Nehemiah 11:14.

Scriptural Appearances

• 1 Chronicles 27:2 – Named as the father of Jashobeam, commander of the first monthly division of David’s standing army (24,000 men).
• Nehemiah 11:14 – Identified as the chief officer over 128 valiant priest-warriors who guarded and served in restored Jerusalem.

Historical Context

The two occurrences span the monarchic and post-exilic eras. In David’s reign, Zabdiel’s son leads the premier military detachment, underscoring the family’s prominence at a formative moment in Israel’s united kingdom. Centuries later, in the days of Nehemiah, another Zabdiel (or a descendant bearing the same name) is entrusted with security and administrative oversight in Jerusalem as the remnant community re-establishes worship and civic life after the Babylonian captivity.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Paternal Influence (1 Chronicles 27:2)

– Jashobeam’s exploits (1 Chronicles 11:11) imply training in courage and covenant loyalty received from his father.

– The first monthly division, serving when campaigns normally began, set the tone for the entire army; thus Zabdiel’s household contributed to Israel’s military readiness and morale.

2. Priestly Overseer (Nehemiah 11:14)

– The 128 “mighty men of valor” were priests who combined liturgical service with protective duty around the temple precincts.

– The title “chief officer” places Zabdiel within the post-exilic administrative structure alongside other leaders such as Nehemiah (governor) and Ezra (scribe-priest), highlighting a balance of spiritual and civic leadership.

Spiritual Significance

• Continuity of Courage – Both contexts link the name to men described as “mighty” (Hebrew gibborim), suggesting a legacy of valor that transcends generations and circumstances.
• Service at the Front – Whether on the battlefield or within temple walls, those connected to Zabdiel occupy first-line positions. Their example commends prompt, wholehearted engagement in the Lord’s work (compare 1 Corinthians 15:58).
• Covenant Fidelity – In the monarchy, fidelity manifests in military obedience to the anointed king; in the restoration era, it appears in guarding the sanctity of worship. Both reflect devotion to God’s redemptive purpose unfolding in Israel’s history.

Lessons for Today

1. Godly Influence in the Home – A father may shape future leaders whose impact reaches far beyond his own lifespan.
2. Vocational Versatility – Zabdiel’s descendants illustrate how spiritual commitment informs diverse callings: soldier, priest, administrator.
3. Faithful Remnants – Post-exilic Zabdiel shows that even small numbers (“128”) can accomplish great tasks when devoted to God’s cause (Zechariah 4:10).

Related Figures

• Jashobeam – First of David’s mighty men; his achievements reflect on his father’s heritage.
• Nehemiah – Governor who relied on trustworthy officers like Zabdiel to secure Jerusalem.
• Phinehas (Numbers 25:7-13) – Another priest combining zeal for worship with decisive action; a thematic parallel to Zabdiel’s priest-warriors.

Summary

Though mentioned only twice, Zabdiel stands at strategic crossroads of Israel’s story: the establishment of royal order under David and the re-establishment of covenant life after exile. In both settings he (or his namesake) is linked with valor, disciplined leadership, and dedication to God’s people, modelling the enduring call to serve “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).

זַבְדִּיאֵ֑ל זַבְדִּיאֵ֖ל זבדיאל zaḇ·dî·’êl zaḇdî’êl zavdiElInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts