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Hobaiah

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âš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Hobaih was the head of a priestly family that returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel but was excluded from the priesthood because he could not produce genealogical records verifying his lineage.

What is the meaning of Hobaiah in the Bible?

Hobaih was the head of a priestly family that returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel but was excluded from the priesthood because he could not produce genealogical records verifying his lineage.

SIGNIFICANCE

The account of Hobaih demonstrates the strict adherence to ancestral purity laws in post-exilic Judah, where legitimate priestly service was contingent upon verifiable descent from Aaron rather than mere religious devotion.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Hobaiah reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Hobaiah in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Hobaiah clarify?

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

"Hobaiah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/hobaiah/
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