The Ancestor of the Rebuilders
Col-hozeh (meaning “Every seer” or “All seeing”) is a biblical figure whose importance lies in his connection to the critical work of rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. He belonged to the tribe of Judah and is chiefly known through his son and descendants who served as leaders and laborers under the governorship of Nehemiah.
The Genealogical Link
Col-hozeh’s name appears in two books—Nehemiah and 1 Chronicles—both detailing the lineage and organization of the restored community:
- The Chief Builder: His son, Shallun, is specifically named as one of the leaders involved in the massive effort to repair the city walls:“The repair of the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. And next unto them repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built the gate of the fountain, he repaired it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king’s garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.” (Nehemiah 3:6, 15, KJV)Shallun’s specific charge—the Gate of the Fountain—was critical because it involved the city’s water supply, a vital area of vulnerability for the community. His designation as a “ruler of part of Mizpah” shows the family had held administrative authority even during the turbulent return from captivity.
- The Resettlement Leader: Col-hozeh is also identified as the father of one of the men who settled back into Jerusalem after the walls were completed and the community was reorganized:“And next after him was Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.” (Nehemiah 11:5, KJV)This verse shows the family’s lineage connecting them back to the ancient family of Shiloni within the tribe of Judah, confirming their legitimate claim to the land and their right to dwell in the Holy City.
The Spiritual Significance in the Restoration
Col-hozeh’s legacy is tied entirely to the theme of restoration after a period of national apostasy and divine judgment (the Exile).
- The Spirit of Rebuilding: The rebuilding project under Nehemiah required immense faith, physical effort, and spiritual dedication, as the work was constantly opposed by external enemies (Sanballat and Tobiah). The labor of Col-hozeh’s descendants illustrates the necessary commitment of God’s people to literally rebuild the boundaries and spiritual safeguards of the covenant community.
- The Importance of Genealogy: The detailed mention of Col-hozeh’s lineage emphasizes that God remembers the faithful families who preserve their identity and remain ready to serve when the call for restoration comes. His name, “Every seer,” metaphorically suggests a family that maintained spiritual foresight and was prepared to act on God’s historical plan.
Col-hozeh, through his family, is a witness to the truth that the defense of the faith requires the physical and political restoration of the church’s spiritual walls, a work that requires both rulers and laborers committed to the God of Israel.