עֲשָׂיָה (a.sa.yah)
a.sa.yah
Asaiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Asaiah, or עֲשָׂיָה, carries the meaning "made by Jehovah." It is a personal name rather than a descriptive term, appearing seven times in the Hebrew Bible. The sources identify several distinct individuals who bear this name during the period of the Divided Monarchy and the post-exilic restoration.
These figures come from varied backgrounds within Israel's society. One was a Merarite Levite serving as a family chief under King David, while another served as an official in the court of King Josiah. A third is listed among the descendants of Simeon during Hezekiah’s reign, and a fourth appears in the genealogies of those who returned from exile. This variety shows how common the name was across different tribes and social roles.
The recurrence of this name highlights the importance of acknowledging God as the creator and sustainer of life. By naming their children "made by Jehovah," these families expressed a theological conviction that their existence and lineage were gifts from God. The name serves as a constant reminder of divine agency in human history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Asaiah means "made by Jehovah." It appears seven times in Scripture, attached to men from different tribes and eras. A Levite chief under David, a royal servant in Josiah’s court, and ancestors of the returned exiles all share this title. Their varied roles show that God’s creative work touches every station in life.
When families chose this name, they acknowledged their existence as a gift from God. It is a quiet reminder that our lives are shaped by divine agency, not just chance. This perspective brings comfort, knowing that even in complex histories, we are known and formed by the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Asaiah5×
- and/ Asaiah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲשָׂיָ֥ה3×
- עֲשָׂיָה֙1×
- עֲשָׂיָ֣ה1×
- וַ/עֲשָׂיָ֧ה1×
- וַ/עֲשָׂיָ֗ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 22:12
The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
Asaiah serves as a royal official alongside Hilkiah during King Josiah’s reforms, showing his trusted position in the kingdom's administration.
-
I Chronicles 15:6
of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred twenty;
He is listed as a chief among the Merarite Levites, highlighting his leadership role in the musical and liturgical service of the Tabernacle.
-
I Chronicles 9:5
Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.
Asaiah appears as a Shilonite ancestor in the post-exilic genealogy, connecting the restored community to its ancient tribal roots.