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ZADOK.—1. Founder of an important branch of the priesthood in Jerusalem. The reading of MT [Note: Massoretic Text.] in 2Sa_8:17 (= 1Ch_18:16) being doubtful, there is no definite information concerning his family except in the genealogical lists in 1Ch_6:4-15; 1Ch_6:50-53; 1Ch_24:3, in which his descent is traced from Eleazar the elder son of Aaron; but these details are of doubtful reliability. He is first mentioned in 2Sa_8:17, where perhaps he should be associated with Abiathar in the correct text, as he is in 2Sa_15:24 ff. He was appointed priest by Solomon in place of Abiathar (1Ki_2:26 f., 1Ki_2:35), because of his own loyalty (1Ki_1:8) and the disloyalty of Abiathar (1Ki_1:7). From this it is evident that his position hitherto had been inferior to that of Abiathar, although his name regularly has the precedence in Samuel. From the time of Solomon the descendants of Zadok constituted the most prominent family among the priests, the high priests being taken from them till the time of the Maccabees. To Ezekiel the Zadokites are the only legitimate priests (Eze_40:46; Eze_43:19; Eze_44:16; Eze_48:11). 2. A warrior of David’s, of the house of Aaron (1Ch_12:28), identified by Josephus (Ant. VII. ii. 2) with 1, against all probability. 3. Maternal grandfather of Jotham (2Ki_15:33, 2Ch_27:1). 4. Son of Baanah (see Ezr_2:2, Neh_7:7), a helper of Nehemiah in re-building the wall (Neh_3:4). 5. Son of Immer, repairer of a portion of the wall (Neh_3:29). 6. ‘The scribe,’ probably a priest, appointed a treasurer by Nehemiah (Neh_13:13); perhaps to be identified with 5. 7. One of the ‘chiefs of the people’ who sealed the covenant (Neh_10:21). 8. A high priest later than 1 (1Ch_6:12 [cf. Ezr_7:2, Neh_11:11]—a passage of doubtful historicity). 9. An ancestor of Joseph the husband of Mary (Mat_1:14 [AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] Sadoc]).
George R. Berry.