הוֹדְוָה
𐤄𐤅𐤃𐤅𐤄
Hodevah
H1937 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name: Hodevah. Appears as an individual in post-exilic genealogical records, specifically in lists of returning Israelite families. The exact original meaning is uncertain but likely related to another similar name, Hodaviah. The semantic range is limited to its function as a proper name within the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
personal name of a post-exilic Israelite, possible variant of Hodaviah, bearer of the name among temple-servant families
Root / Etymology
Likely a variant spelling of the name הוֹדַוְיָה (Hodavyah/Hodaviah), constructed from the root ידה (to praise, give thanks) and the theophoric element יה (Yah, short for the divine name). Thus, the name could be understood etymologically as 'Yah is my praise' or 'praise of Yah.' The variant form in Nehemiah may reflect a scribal or dialectal difference. See also discussion in Historical & Contextual Notes.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name הוֹדְוָה (Hodevah) appears only in Nehemiah 7:43, naming a family among the temple servants (Nethinim) returning from Babylonian exile. In the parallel list in Ezra 2:40, the name appears as הוֹדַוְיָה (Hodaviah), suggesting both forms refer to the same individual or clan. The spelling difference may result from scribal transmission, alternative pronunciation, or dialectal variation during the late biblical period. The meaning of the name is parallel to other Israelite theophoric names that express praise or gratitude to the divine. In English Bible translations, the name is typically rendered 'Hodevah,' but earlier translations and some editions use 'Hodevah' or 'Hodevah the Levite.' There is no evidence for the term describing a tribe, profession, or group beyond its function as a personal/clan name in the returned Israelite community.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a form of הוֹדַוְיָה; Hodevah (or Hodevjah), an Israelite; Hodevah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ידה (y-d-h) — praise, give thanks, confess
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1184 | בַּעֲלֵי יְהוּדָה | Yah is praised |
| H3029 | יְדָא | the one giving thanks |
| H3034 | יָדָה | I will acknowledge him |
| H3035 | יִדּוֹ | Thanking-One |
| H3038 | יְדוּתוּן | for Yeduthun the Praiser |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1937-01 |
לְ/הוֹדְוָ֖ה | lehodevah | HR/Np |
Hodevah | to Praise-of-Yah | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1937-01 |
Nehemiah 7:43 | לְ/הוֹדְוָ֖ה | lehodevah | HR/Np |
Hodevah | to Praise-of-Yah |