יְזַנְיָה (ye.zan.yah)
ye.zan.yah
Jezaniah
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 Yəzanyāh, translated as Jezaniah, carries the meaning "Jehovah has listened." It appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily to identify a specific leader during the turbulent final years of the Kingdom of Judah. The sources link this name to a man who was a son of Hoshaiah and held the title of captain among those who remained after the Babylonian siege.
This individual plays a notable role in the historical records of 2 Kings 25:23 and Jeremiah 43:2, where he is sometimes referred to by variant forms such as Jaazaniah or Azariah. He is described as one of the captains who escaped Jerusalem and subsequently gathered with Gedaliah at Mizpah. His presence in these texts highlights his prominence among the remnant of Judah that sought to maintain order following the city's fall.
The etymology of the name reflects a theological theme common in Hebrew personal names, attributing divine attention to the bearer. While the text does not elaborate on his specific deeds beyond his leadership role at Mizpah, the name itself serves as a reminder of faithfulness during a time of national collapse. The variation in how his name is rendered across different biblical passages underscores the complexity of preserving historical identities in ancient manuscripts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jezaniah means "Jehovah has listened." In a time when Jerusalem had fallen and hope seemed lost, this title carried deep weight for those who remained. It reminds us that God hears even in the darkest hours, when national structures crumble and safety feels impossible.
His presence among the captains at Mizpah shows that leadership does not always come with power or prestige. Sometimes it is simply about standing firm in faith when everything around you has changed. This name invites us to trust that our prayers are heard, even when circumstances look bleak.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Jezaniah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וִֽ/יזַנְיָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 42:1
Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, came near,
This verse places Jezaniah alongside other leaders as they seek God’s guidance through Jeremiah, showing his role in the remnant’s search for direction after the fall of Jerusalem.