ZADOK, derived from the root ply, corre sponding with the Latin justus. There are several men of this name mentioned in the O. T.
1. In the reign of David, ZADOK (the son of Ahitub and father of Ahimaaz, Chron. vi. 8) and Ahimelech, were the priests (2 Sam. viii. 17). ZA DOK and the Levites were with David when, after the middle of the iith century B.c., he fled from Absalom ; but the king ordered Zadok to carry back the ark of God into the city (2 Sam. xv. 24, 25, 27, 29, 35, 36 ; xviii. 19, 22, 27). The king, also, considering Zadok a seer, commanded him to return to the city, stating that he would wait in the plain of the wilderness until he should receive such information from him and his son Ahimaaz, and also from the son of Abiathar, as might induce him to remove farther away. On hearing that Ahitho phel had joined Absalom, David requested Hushai, his friend, to feign himself to he also one of the conspirators, and to inform Zadok and Abiathar of the counsels adopted by Absalom and his rebellious confederates. The request of David was complied
with, and the plans of the rebels made known to David by the instrumentality of Zadok and the others.
After Absalom was vanquished, David sent to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house ?' etc. (2 Sam. xix. ; xx. 25). When Adonijah attempted to succeed to the throne, Abiathar countenanced him, but Za dok was not called to the feast at which the con spirators assembled. King David sent for Zadok and Nathan the prophet to anoint Solomon king 0 Kings i. 32-45)• 2. In Chron. vi. 12, and Neh. xi. II, another ZADOK is mentioned, the father of whom was also called Ahitub, and who begat Shallum. This Zadok descended from Zadok the priest in the days of David and Solomon, and was the ancestor of Ezra the scribe (Ezra vii. 2). We learn from Ezek. xl. 46 ; 19 ; xliv. 15 ; xlviii. II, that the sons of Zadok were a pre-eminent sacerdotal family.