High priest during the time of Alexander the Great.
Jaddua
Named in 2 verses of Nehemiah, first in Nehemiah 12:11.
יַדּוּעַJaddua
The name means “known.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Father
- Johanan
- People
- Tribe of Levi
About Jaddua Written by AI
Jaddua is mentioned in Nehemiah 12:11 and 22 as a high priest who served during the reign of Darius the Persian. He was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of Joiada, who were also high priests (Nehemiah 12:11). The genealogy in Nehemiah 12 traces the succession of high priests from the time of the first return from Babylonian exile under Jeshua until the reign of Darius the Persian, also known as Darius III or Darius Codomannus (336-331 BC). This places Jaddua's tenure as high priest in the late 4th century BC. Nehemiah 12:22 mentions that the Levites were recorded as heads of their fathers' houses during the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, until the reign of Darius the Persian. This suggests that Jaddua served as high priest for a considerable time, possibly spanning the reigns of multiple Persian kings. According to Jewish tradition, as recorded in Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews (XI 8.4-5), Jaddua was the high priest who met Alexander the Great when the Macedonian king approached Jerusalem during his conquest of the Persian Empire. However, this account is not mentioned in the biblical text. Jaddua's inclusion in the genealogy of high priests in Nehemiah 12 highlights the continuity of the priestly line and the importance of the high priestly office in the post-exilic Jewish community. It also provides a valuable historical reference point, linking the biblical narrative to the broader context of ancient Near Eastern history.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Jaddua, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
Known. (1.) One of the chiefs who subscribed the covenant (Neh. 10:21).
(2.) The last high priest mentioned in the Old Testament (Neh. 12:11, 22), sons of Jonathan.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Nehemiah 12:11
Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua.
- Nehemiah 12:22
In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, during the reign of Darius the Persian, the heads of the families of the Levites and priests were recorded.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.