Hosah

The name Hosah covers two distinct entries in the Hebrew scriptures: a town on the northern border of Asher's tribal allotment, and a Levitical doorkeeper appointed by David.

Hosah the Asherite city

In the survey of Asher's territory, Hosah marks a turning point on the boundary as it traces the coastline near Tyre: "and the border turned to Ramah, and to the fortified city of Tyre; and the border turned to Hosah, and the goings out of it were at the sea; Mahalab, Achzib" (Josh 19:29).

Hosah the Levite doorkeeper

A second Hosah, of the Merarite branch of the Levites, serves under David as a gatekeeper for the sanctuary. He is first named in the appointment of doorkeepers when the ark is settled in Jerusalem: "and Obed-edom with their brothers, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers" (1 Chr 16:38).

The lineage section in 1 Chronicles 26 records his sons and the unusual elevation of one of them to chief: "Also Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief), Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen" (1 Chr 26:10-11).