Koz

Koz (meaning thorn) is the name of two biblical figures. The first was a descendant of Judah listed in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 4:8 (where the name appears as Coz in some versions, and the Revised Version reads Hakkoz). The second, and more significant, was a priest whose family headed the seventh of the twenty-four priestly divisions organized by David for temple service (Ezra 2:61; Neh. 3:4; 7:63; 1 Chr. 24:10). This priestly family's descendants returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel but were temporarily excluded from the priesthood because they could not verify their genealogy from the priestly register.

The priestly Koz is likely the same individual as Hakkoz (the thorn, with the Hebrew definite article), whose line appears in the post-exilic community and whose descendant Meremoth son of Uriah son of Hakkoz participated in repairing the Jerusalem wall under Nehemiah (Neh. 3:4, 21)—suggesting the family eventually resolved the genealogical question and was restored to priestly standing.