Halohesh

Halohesh — spelled "Hallohesh" in the UPDV — is a post-exilic figure whose name appears twice in Nehemiah: once as the father of one of the wall-builders, and once among the heads of the people who sealed the renewed covenant.

Father of a wall-builder

In the apportioned work of rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, his son takes a section: "And next to him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters" (Ne 3:12). The notice is double: it identifies Shallum's parentage and records that Hallohesh's son rules half the district — and that his daughters share in the labour at the wall.

Signatory of the covenant

When the assembly under Nehemiah binds itself by oath to keep the law, his name surfaces a second time among the heads of the people who set their seal: "Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek," (Ne 10:24). The two notices together — wall-work through the son, covenant-seal in his own name — place the household firmly on the side of the restoration.