עֲתָיָה
𐤏𐤕𐤉𐤄
Atayah
H6265 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'Yahweh has helped'. Refers specifically to an Israelite individual listed among those returning from exile (Neh 11:4). The name invokes the idea of divine assistance or support, consistent with a common biblical naming pattern expressing gratitude for help received from Yahweh. The lexical meaning centers on the theophoric construction with YHWH ('Yah') as the divine element and a verbal root denoting help.
Semantic Range
Yahweh has helped (personal name); divine assistance as expressed in theophoric names; proper noun, never a common noun or verb
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root עוּת ('to help, assist'), combined with the theophoric element יָהּ ('Yah', a short form of Yahweh). The form reflects a common Hebrew naming pattern—verb (perfect or imperfect) + theophoric suffix—indicating a perceived action of the deity on the behalf of the bearer (here: 'Yahweh has helped').
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Nehemiah 11:4 as an Israelite from the post-exilic community. The name follows a common biblical tradition of expressing relationship with the deity through theophoric names. Variation in English translations includes 'Athajah' and 'Athaiah', with occasional substitution by 'Jew' in later contexts; however, for the biblical period, the Israelite ethnic designation is appropriate. Such name forms are more common in post-exilic literature, reflecting heightened emphasis on Yahweh’s direct intervention or help. The base root עוּת is not common in the Hebrew Bible outside onomastic (name) contexts, and the meaning 'help' in the verbal sense is primarily preserved in such theophoric names. Parallel formations include other names like Obadiah ('Yahweh is servant/helpful'). The semantic value did not extend to titles or descriptions outside of proper name usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עוּת and יָהּ; Jah has helped; Athajah, an Israelite; Athaiah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עות (ʿ-w-t) — help, assist, give support
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5790 | עוּת | to hasten to help |
| H5791 | עָוַת | he has twisted me |
| H5792 | עַוָּתָה | my injustice |
| H5793 | עוּתַי | Yah-has-helped |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6265-01 |
עֲתָיָ֨ה | atayah | HNp |
Athaiah | Yah Has Helped | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6265-01 |
Nehemiah 11:4 | עֲתָיָ֨ה | atayah | HNp |
Athaiah | Yah Has Helped |