אֲמַצְיָ֫הוּ (a.mats.yah)

a.mats.yah

Amaziah

H0558 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 37 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 37 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Amaziah, meaning "Jehovah is mighty," appears in Scripture as the designation for four distinct individuals during the era of the divided monarchy. The most prominent figure is the king of Judah, son of Joash and father of Uzziah, whose reign is detailed extensively in 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. His story illustrates a complex leadership marked by initial religious reform followed by military overreach and eventual assassination.

Beyond the royal line, the name identifies a priest at Bethel who opposed the prophet Amos (Amos 7:10-14), a Levite singer from David’s court (1 Chronicles 6:30), and a Simeonite ancestor (1 Chronicles 4:34). This variety suggests the name was popular among different social strata, from royalty to temple servants. The lexical roots combine amats ("strength") with the divine name Yah, reflecting a theological hope for God’s sustaining power in turbulent times.

The king’s narrative provides the most significant context for this entry. While he began his rule by seeking justice, his decision to hire mercenary forces and his subsequent defeat by Jehoash of Israel highlight the dangers of relying on human strength rather than divine guidance (2 Chronicles 25:17). The contrast between his name’s promise of God’s might and his eventual downfall serves as a historical cautionary tale within the biblical record.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Amaziah means "Jehovah is mighty," a declaration that God provides strength in difficult times. This title belonged to several figures in Israel's history, but most notably to a king of Judah whose life offers a sobering lesson on leadership. He began his reign with genuine reform, seeking justice and removing idolatry. Yet his story also shows how quickly human confidence can replace divine reliance.

Amaziah’s decision to hire foreign mercenaries before consulting God reveals a common struggle: trusting in visible power rather than spiritual guidance. When he later defeated the Edomites, he brought back their gods, showing how victory without wisdom leads to compromise. His narrative reminds us that true strength comes from aligning our actions with God’s will, not from military might or human advice.

For your faith, this word invites reflection on where you place your trust. Are you relying on your own resources or seeking God’s direction first? The biblical record encourages believers to remember that God’s power is sufficient for every challenge. By staying rooted in His guidance, we can navigate life’s complexities with humility and hope.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 37 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Amaziah33×
and/ Amaziah3×
on/ Amaziah1×
of/ Amaziah1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙6×
אֲמַצְיָ֥הוּ4×
אֲמַצְיָ֔הוּ4×
אֲמַצְיָה֙3×
אֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ3×
וַ/אֲמַצְיָ֣הוּ2×
אֲמַצְיָֽהוּ\׃2×
אֲמַצְיָ֨הוּ2×
אֲמַצְיָ֤הוּ2×
לַ/אֲמַצְיָ֥הוּ1×
וַ/אֲמַצְיָ֙הוּ֙1×
בַּ/אֲמַצְיָ֑הוּ1×

Key Verses

II Kings 14:8
Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let’s look one another in the face.”

This verse marks the beginning of Amaziah’s fatal pride as he challenges a superior king to battle without seeking divine counsel.
II Chronicles 25:9
Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “Yahweh is able to give you much more than this.”

Amaziah worries about the cost of foreign troops, yet God assures him that His power exceeds any financial or military resource.
II Chronicles 25:14
Now after Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them and burned incense to them.

After a military victory, Amaziah adopts foreign idols, illustrating how success can lead to spiritual compromise if not guarded by faith.
II Chronicles 25:17
Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted his advisers, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come! Let’s look one another in the face.”

The king’s advisers encourage conflict with Israel, showing how human counsel can sometimes lead away from God’s peace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Amaziah mean?

The name Amaziah combines the Hebrew words for "Yahweh" (Jehovah) and "strength." It translates to "Jehovah is mighty" or "The Lord is strong." This reflects a theological hope that God sustains His people with power during turbulent times.

Who was Amaziah in the Bible?

Amaziah was primarily a king of Judah, son of Joash and father of Uzziah. His reign is detailed in 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. The name also appears for other figures, including a priest who opposed Amos and a Levite singer, but the king’s story is the most prominent.

Why did Amaziah’s reign end badly?

Amaziah initially sought justice but later relied on hired mercenaries instead of God. After defeating the Edomites, he adopted their idols and provoked a war with Israel that led to his capture. His downfall illustrates the danger of trusting human strength over divine guidance.

How is Amaziah different from other kings named Uzziah?

Amaziah was the father of Uzziah (also called Azariah). While Amaziah’s reign ended in compromise and assassination, Uzziah began well but later fell into pride by entering the temple. Both stories warn against letting success lead to spiritual neglect.

Every Occurrence (37 verses across 4 books)

II Kings 13 verses

II Kings 13:12

Now the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might with which he fought against Amaziah king of…

II Kings 14:1

In the second year of Joash, son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah began to reign.

II Kings 14:8

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let’s look one…

II Kings 14:9

Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar…

II Kings 14:11

But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in…

II Kings 14:13

Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh and came to…

II Kings 14:15

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, aren’t…

II Kings 14:17

Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, fifteen years.

II Kings 14:18

Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

II Kings 14:21

All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.

II Kings 14:23

In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel began to…

II Kings 15:1

In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign.

II Kings 15:3

He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.

I Chronicles 2 verses

II Chronicles 19 verses

Amos 3 verses