Hoshaiah

Two men named Hoshaiah appear in scripture — one a leader in the post-exilic dedication of the wall, the other the father of two figures named in the closing crisis of Jeremiah.

Hoshaiah of the Dedication Procession

At the dedication of the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem, two thanksgiving companies process around the city. After describing the first company's order, the narrative turns to the second: "and after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah" (Neh 12:32). Hoshaiah leads this second company, walking ahead of half of the princes of Judah on the appointed circuit.

Hoshaiah, Father of Jezaniah and Azariah

In the days after the fall of Jerusalem, the remnant left in the land approaches Jeremiah for guidance: "Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came near" (Jer 42:1). Jezaniah is identified as the son of Hoshaiah.

When Jeremiah returns the answer that the people are not to flee to Egypt, the response is rejection: "then Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men spoke, saying to Jeremiah, You speak falsely: Yahweh our God has not sent you to say, You⁺ will not go into Egypt to sojourn there" (Jer 43:2). Azariah, also named son of Hoshaiah, leads the rejection of the prophetic word.

The Hoshaiah of these two passages is named only through his sons — once for Jezaniah, once for Azariah — at the head of the company that finally goes down into Egypt against Jeremiah's word.