Original Word: יְדָיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ydayah
Pronunciation: yeh-dah-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (yed-aw-yaw')
KJV: Jedaiah
NASB: Jedaiah
Word Origin: [from H3034 (יָדָה - give thanks) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. praised of Jah
2. Jedajah, the name of two Israelites

Jedaiah

From yadah and Yahh; praised of Jah; Jedajah, the name of two Israelites -- Jedaiah.

see HEBREW yadah

see HEBREW Yahh

Word Origin
from yadah and Yah
Definition
perhaps "praised by Yah," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Jedaiah (2).

יְדָיָה proper name, masculine 1. a Simeonite chief 1 Chronicles 4:37, ᵐ5 Ιδια, ᵐ5^L Ιεδδαα.

2 a builder at the wall Nehemiah 3:10, ᵐ5 Ιεδαια, ᵐ5^L Ιεδδεια.

יְדִידְיָה see below ידד above.

יְדָיָה see below ידה above

יְדִיעֲאֵל see below ידע.

ידיתוּן = ידותון see below ידה. above

Name Significance

The personal name portrays the conviction that the covenant-keeping God is fully aware of His people and their circumstances. By carrying such a confession in their very identity, each bearer becomes a living reminder that nothing escapes the divine gaze.

Biblical Occurrences

1. 1 Chronicles 4:37 – an ancestor in the Simeonite genealogy.
2. Nehemiah 3:10 – a resident of post-exilic Jerusalem who helped repair the city wall.

Genealogical Context: Tribe of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:37)

The Chronicler places Jedaiah five generations back from Ziza, a Simeonite leader who marshaled five hundred men to secure fresh pastureland in the days of Hezekiah. This notice ties Jedaiah to a clan noted for initiative and expansion into territory once held by Hamites (1 Chronicles 4:39-43). Although Simeon was one of the smaller tribes and geographically enclosed by Judah, the genealogy preserves its distinct lineage. By including Jedaiah, Scripture affirms that even comparatively obscure tribal lines remain within God’s unfolding plan—He “knows” every name and remembers each contribution to Israel’s corporate history.

Post-exilic Service: Rebuilding Jerusalem’s Wall (Nehemiah 3:10)

During Nehemiah’s reconstruction project, Jedaiah son of Harumaph “made repairs opposite his house” (Nehemiah 3:10). Working in front of one’s home meant direct personal stake and accountability. His placement between noblemen and Levites in the work roster illustrates the broad coalition Nehemiah forged: priests, rulers, merchants, women, and common householders united for covenant restoration. By assigning Jedaiah a section adjoining his property, Nehemiah maximized both motivation and efficiency, proving that local stewardship advances the larger kingdom objective.

Historical and Theological Observations

• Continuity: From pre-monarchic tribal lists to post-exilic city records, the name surfaces at two hinge points in Israel’s story, underscoring that the Lord’s knowledge bridges centuries of exile, judgment, and renewal.
• Covenant Faithfulness: Each mention of Jedaiah immediately precedes strategic advances—Simeonite expansion under Hezekiah and Jerusalem’s fortification under Nehemiah—suggesting that divine awareness accompanies covenant obedience and courageous action.
• Divine Omniscience: The name itself highlights a key Old Testament theme: “the LORD knows the way of the righteous” (Psalm 1:6). Whether buried deep in genealogies or standing on a wall with a trowel, God’s servants operate under His watchful care.

Ministry Insights

1. Personal Stewardship: Like Jedaiah repairing “opposite his house,” believers today are called to begin ministry where they live, making the household a frontline of kingdom work.
2. Legacy Matters: Genealogical placement teaches that individual faithfulness contributes to future generations’ opportunities. Quiet obedience now may pave the way for later victories.
3. Community Collaboration: The wall narrative reminds the church that varied social strata must labor side by side, each trusting that the One who knows all accounts for every hidden sacrifice (Hebrews 6:10).

Related Names in Scripture

Several other men named Jedaiah appear under different Strong’s numbers (for example, a post-exilic priestly family in Nehemiah 12:6-7). While distinct in spelling or lineage, each repetition of the name reinforces the same theological chord: the Lord’s intimate knowledge of His servants throughout Israel’s diverse epochs.

יְדָיָ֥ה ידיה yə·ḏā·yāh yedaYah yəḏāyāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts