יִזִּיָּה (yiz.ziy.yah)
yiz.ziy.yah
Izziah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yizziyah, transliterated from the Hebrew יִזִּיָּה, appears only once in the Old Testament, recorded in Ezra 10:25. It identifies a specific individual who was part of the community returning from exile in Babylon. The lexicon data notes that this person was a descendant of the family line of Parosh and is listed among those who had married foreign wives during the post-exilic period.
Linguistically, the name is interpreted as meaning "Jehovah sprinkles." This etymology connects the individual to the divine name Yahweh through an action often associated with ritual cleansing or covenantal acts in biblical tradition. While the name itself carries this theological weight, its primary function in Scripture is genealogical, marking a member of a specific clan during a time of significant religious reform.
The mention of Yizziyah serves as a historical marker for the challenges faced by the returned exiles regarding intermarriage and communal identity. By listing him among those who took foreign wives, the text highlights the personal cost of the reforms led by Ezra. The name stands as a single data point in a larger narrative about the restoration of Israel’s distinct religious practices after the Babylonian captivity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Izziah appears in a list of men who returned from Babylon to rebuild their community. It means "Jehovah sprinkles," pointing to God’s work of cleansing and setting apart His people. In Ezra 10, this name marks a moment of difficult but necessary change for Israel.
God’s grace does not ignore sin or compromise. The list shows that even those with names reflecting God’s mercy had to face hard decisions about their lives. This reminds us that faithfulness often requires honest self-examination and a willingness to align our choices with God’s will.
While Izziah is just one name in a long roll call, his story reflects the broader journey of restoration. It shows that God values integrity and obedience, even when it costs us personally. His name stands as a quiet witness to the power of covenant loyalty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Izziah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/יִזִּיָּ֤ה1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 10:25
Of Israel: Of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah.
This verse lists Izziah among the sons of Parosh who had married foreign wives, highlighting his role in the post-exilic reform.