IDAIA. — Name of several figures in the Old Testament.
1. Descendant of the patriarch Simeon (I Par. 4:37; Hebr. Jedhājāh “who praises Jahweh,” Vulg. Idaia).
2. Son of Haromaph (Vulg. Iedaia), a contemporary of Nehemiah; he contributed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:10).
3. The Vulgate also renders I. or Iedaia or Iedaia the Hebr. name Jedhājāh (“Jahweh knows”), borne by many priests: one assigned to the second course of service in the Temple (I Par. 9:10; 24:7); several from the time of Nehemiah and the exile (Eid. 2:36; Neh. 7:39; 11:10; 12:6; 79:21); one in the time of the prophet Zechariah (Zach. 6:10, 14).