עֲזַרְיָה
𐤏𐤆𐤓𐤉𐤄
Azareyah
H5839 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name meaning 'Yah(weh) has helped' or 'YHWH has aided.' The name is given to several individuals in the Hebrew Bible, including a companion of Daniel in the Aramaic sections (commonly rendered as 'Abed-Nego' elsewhere in Daniel) and numerous other figures, such as priests and leaders, in different historical contexts. The semantic range is that of theophoric personal names expressing divine assistance or favor.
Semantic Range
personal name meaning 'YHWH has helped,' theophoric name; personal name of Israelite individuals, especially figures in religious or royal contexts; can be used generically for any bearer of the name in lists or genealogies
Root / Etymology
From the root עזר (ʿ-z-r, 'to help, assist') and the theophoric suffix -יה (-yāh), a shortened form of the divine name יְהוָה (YHWH). The Aramaic form matches the Hebrew name in construction and meaning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical text, עֲזַרְיָה appears as a theophoric personal name in both narrative and genealogical passages. The specific individual referred to in the Aramaic section of Daniel (Dan 1:6–19; 2:17) is an Israelite youth taken to Babylon, often identified with 'Abed-Nego' after being given a Babylonian name. The name is also borne by numerous other figures throughout the Hebrew Bible, including priests, officials, and a king (see 2 Chr 26:1,8; 1 Chr 6:9). The use of the theophoric element -yāh underscores the relationship between bearer and deity, a typical feature of Israelite naming practices. In Greek and English translations, the name often appears as 'Azariah' or 'Azarias,' while in certain translations from the Aramaic section the meaning of the name may be obscured by use of the Babylonian replacement name. The meaning differs from similar names like עֲזַרְיֵאל ('Azariel'), which uses the divine element 'El,' rather than 'Yah.' The use of 'Jew' in some translations to describe Daniel’s companions is anachronistic for the period described; 'Israelite' or 'Judahite' is more historically precise.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to עֲזַרְיָה; Azarjah, one of Daniel's companions; Azariah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עזר (ʿ-z-r) — help, assist, support
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3134 | יוֹעֶזֶר | and YHWH-is-help |
| H3270 | יַעֲזֵיר | in He-helps |
| H373 | אִיעֶזְרִי | the Iezerite clansman |
| H461 | אֱלִיעֶזֶר | God is help |
| H5809 | עַזּוּר | Azzur |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5839-01 |
וַ/עֲזַרְיָ֛ה | vaazareyah | AC/Np |
and Azariah | And Yah-has-helped | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5839-01 |
Daniel 2:17 | וַ/עֲזַרְיָ֛ה | vaazareyah | AC/Np |
and Azariah | And Yah-has-helped |