zadok Summary and Overview

righteous. (1.) A son of Ahitub, of the line of Eleazer (2 Sam. 8:17; 1 Chr. 24:3), high priest in the time of David (2 Sam. 20:25) and Solomon (1 Kings 4:4). He is first mentioned as coming to take part with David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:27, 28). He was probably on this account made ruler over the Aaronites (27:17). Zadok and Abiathar acted as high priests on several important occasions (1 Chr. 15:11; 2 Sam. 15:24-29, 35, 36); but when Adonijah endeavoured to secure the throne, Abiathar went with him, and therefore Solomon "thrust him out from being high priest," and Zadok, remaining faithful to David, became high priest alone (1 Kings 2:27, 35; 1 Chr. 29:22). In him the line of Phinehas resumed the dignity, and held it till the fall of Jerusalem. He was succeeded in his sacred office by his son Azariah (1 Kings 4:2; compare 1 Chr. 6:3-9). (2.) The father of Jerusha, who was wife of King Uzziah, and mother of King Jotham (2 Kings 15:33; 2 Chr. 27:1). (3.) "The scribe" set over the treasuries of the temple by Nehemiah along with a priest and a Levite (Neh. 13:13). (4.) The sons of Baana, one of those who assisted in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:4).

(just). 1. Son of Ahitub and one of the two chief priests in the time of David, Abiathar being the other. Zadok was of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, #1Ch 24:3| and eleventh in descent from Aaron. #1Ch 12:28| He joined David at Hebron after Saul's death, #1Ch 12:28| and thenceforth his fidelity to David was inviolable. When Absalom revolted and David fled from Jerusalem, Zadok and all the Levites bearing the ark accompanied him. When Absalom was dead, Zadok and Abiathar were the persons who persuaded the elders of Judah to invite David to return. #2Sa 19:11| When Adonijah, in David's old age, set up for king, and had persuaded Joab, and Abiathar the priest, to join his party, Zadok was unmoved, and was employed by David to anoint Solomon to be king in his room. #1Ki 1:34| For this fidelity he was rewarded by Solomon who "thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the Lord," and "put in Zadok the priest" in his room. #1Ki 2:27,35| From this time, however, we hear little of him. Zadok and Abiathar were of nearly equal dignity. #2Sa 15:35,36; 19:11| The duties of the office were divided, Zadok ministered before the tabernacle at Gibeon, #1Ch 16:39| Abiathar had the care of the ark at Jerusalem. 2. According to the genealogy of the high priests in #1Ch 6:12| there was a second Zadok, son of a second Ahitub son of Amariah, about the time of King Ahaziah. It is probable that no such person as this second Zadok ever existed, but that the insertion of the two names is a copyist's error. 3. Father of Jerushah, the wife of King Uzziah and mother of King Jotham. #2Ki 15:33; 2Ch 27:1| 4. Son of Baana, and 5. Son of Immer, persons who repaired a portion of the wall in Nehemiah's time. #Ne 3:4,29| 6. In #1Ch 9:11| and Nehe 11:11 mention is made, in a genealogy, of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub; but it can hardly be doubtful that Meraioth is inserted by the error of a copyist, and that Zadok the son of Ahitub is meant.

ZA'DOK (just). 1. Son of Ahitub, of the family of Eleazar, and one of the two high priests in the time of David, Abiathar being the other. 2 Sam 8:17. He joined David at Hebron, 1 Chr 12:28, and was always faithful to him, staying behind in Jerusalem at his request during Absalom's rebellion, and subsequently anointed Solomon king, 1 Kgs 1:39, and was rewarded by Solomon for his faithful service by being made sole high priest. See Abiathar. 2. A priest in the time of King Ahaziah. 1 Chr 6:12. 3. The father of King Uzziah's wife. 2 Kgs 15:33; 2 Chr 27:1. 4. One who repaired a part of the wall. Neh 3:4. 5. 6, 7. Three other persons. Neh 3:29; Gen 10:21; Josh 13:13.

1. Son of Ahitub, of the house of Eleazar, son of Aaron (1 Chronicles 24:3). Joined David at Hebron after Saul's death, with 22 captains of his father's house. At Absalom's revolt Zadok and the Levites bearing the ark accompanied David in leaving Jerusalem, but at his request returned with the ark and along with Hushai and Abiathar became David's medium of knowing events passing in the city, through Jonathan and Ahimaaz. At Absasalom's death David desired Zadok and Abiathar to persuade the elders of Judah to invite him to return (2 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 19). Zadok remained faithful in Adonijah's rebellion when Abiathar joined it. Zadok, with Nathan the prophet, anointed Solomon at Gihon by David's command (a second anointing took place subsequently: 1 Chronicles 29:22). So Solomon put Zadok instead of Abiathar, fulfilling the curse on Eli (1 Samuel 2; 3; 1 Kings 2:27; 1 Kings 2:35; 1 Kings 4:4; 1 Chronicles 29:22). (See ABIATHAR.)

David made him ruler over the Aaronites (1 Chronicles 27:17); their number in 1 Chronicles 12:27-28, is said to be 3,700 under Jehoiada. Zadok did not survive to the dedication of Solomon's temple, but Azariah his son or grandson (1 Chronicles 6:8-9) was then high priest (1 Chronicles 6:10; 1 Kings 4:2). His descendants continued in the high priesthood (compare 2 Chronicles 31:10, "Azariah of the house of Zadok chief priest") until the time of Antiochus Eupator. The double high priesthood of Zadok and Abiathar answers to that of the chief priest and second priest (2 Kings 25:18; Luke 3:2 "Annas and Caiaphas being high priest);" compare 2 Chronicles 31:10, "Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok." Zadok ministered mainly before the tabernacle at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39). Abiathar bad charge of the ark in Jerusalem; so formerly Eleazar and Ithamar, Hophni and Phinehas, were joint chief priests. Even while the line of Ithamar in the person of Eli was foremost, Eleazar's house held its ground on a kind of parity, Ahitub, Zadok's father, being called "ruler of the house of God" (1 Chronicles 9:11; Nehemiah 11:11).

2. A second Zadok, son of a second Ahitub, son of Amariah; in king Amaziah's time. ((See HIGH PRIEST.) Many links are omitted in these lists (1 Chronicles 6:12; 1 Chronicles 9:11; Ezra 7:1-5); the repetition of the same names in a family is natural.

3. Father of Jerushah, king Uzziah's wife (2 Kings 15:33; 2 Chronicles 27:1).

4. Son of Baana, repaired the wall (Nehemiah 3:4), signed the covenant (Nehemiah 10:21); a chief of the people, of the tribe of Judah (for Baana was a Netophathite of Judah, 2 Samuel 23:29). Intermarriages of Judah with the tribe of Levi were frequent, Whence Zadok appears in Judah (Matthew 1:14).

5. Son of Immer, a priest; repaired over against his own house (Nehemiah 3:29); of the 16th course (1 Chronicles 24:14).

6. Nehemiah 11:11; 1 Chronicles 9:11. Son of Meraioth, son of Ahitub; some omission or error of copyists is suspected from comparing the list, Ezra 7:1-5; 1 Chronicles 6:3-14, where a Meraioth is grandfather or great grandfather of Zadok. The name is equivalent to the "Justus" of Acts 1:28; Acts 18:7; Colossians 4:11.

7. Set over the treasuries by Nehemiah (Nehemiah 13:13) to distribute to brethren; "the scribe."