אֲצַלְיָ֫הוּ (a.tsal.ya.hu)
a.tsal.ya.hu
Azaliah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Azaliah, meaning "Jehovah has reserved" or "set apart," appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible (2 Kings 22:3; 2 Chronicles 34:20). It identifies a specific individual from the period of the Divided Monarchy, serving as the father of Shaphan the scribe and the son of Meshullam. This brief genealogical record anchors him within the administrative class that supported King Josiah’s religious reforms.
The etymology highlights a theological theme common in Hebrew names: divine preservation. By bearing a name that signifies being set apart by God, Azaliah’s lineage is linked to the faithful remnant that preserved the Law during a time of national decline. His son Shaphan would later play a pivotal role in discovering the Book of the Law, suggesting that this family maintained a distinct spiritual identity.
While Azaliah himself does not speak or act in the narrative, his presence underscores the importance of faithful stewardship across generations. The text uses his name to trace the line of scribes who ensured the continuity of Scripture and covenant faithfulness. His story illustrates how ordinary individuals, marked by names reflecting God’s care, contributed to the preservation of Israel’s religious heritage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Azaliah carries the quiet weight of divine preservation. Meaning 'Jehovah has reserved,' it reflects a truth that runs through generations: God sets apart people and families for His purposes, often in ways we cannot immediately see. In the biblical record, Azaliah appears briefly as the father of Shaphan, a scribe who would later play a key role in restoring the Law during King Josiah’s reforms.
This brief mention reminds us that faithfulness is not always loud or visible. Azaliah did not lead armies or speak to crowds, yet his lineage was chosen to safeguard Scripture for future generations. His story invites us to trust that God values ordinary obedience and that He works through families and communities to preserve what matters most.
When we feel small in the face of history’s changes, Azaliah’s name offers comfort. It suggests that being 'reserved' by God is not about isolation but about purpose. Your life, like his, may be part of a larger story of preservation and faithfulness that extends beyond your own time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Azaliah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲצַלְיָ֤הוּ1×
- אֲצַלְיָ֜הוּ1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 22:3
In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to Yahweh’s house, saying,
This verse introduces Azaliah as the father of Shaphan, anchoring the scribe’s lineage in a family entrusted with preserving the Law during a critical moment of national reform.
-
II Chronicles 34:8
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder to repair the house of Yahweh his God.
Here, Azaliah’s name reappears as part of the genealogical record that validates Shaphan’s authority in overseeing the repair of the temple, highlighting the continuity of faithful stewardship.