Topical Encyclopedia Azariah is a common name in the Old Testament, meaning "Yahweh has helped." Several individuals bear this name, reflecting its popularity and the faith of the Israelites in God's assistance.1. Azariah, the High Priest: One of the most notable Azariahs was a high priest during the reign of King Solomon. He was a descendant of Zadok, the priest, and served in the temple, ensuring the continuation of the priestly line and the proper worship of Yahweh (1 Kings 4:2). 2. Azariah, Son of Oded: A prophet during the reign of King Asa of Judah, Azariah, son of Oded, delivered a message of encouragement and reform to the king, urging him to seek the Lord and remove idolatry from the land (2 Chronicles 15:1-8). 3. Azariah, King of Judah: Also known as Uzziah, he was a king of Judah who reigned for 52 years. His reign was marked by prosperity and military success, but he was struck with leprosy for unlawfully burning incense in the temple (2 Kings 15:1-7; 2 Chronicles 26). 4. Azariah, the Companion of Daniel: Known by his Babylonian name, Abednego, Azariah was one of Daniel's three friends who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. God miraculously delivered them (Daniel 1:6-7; 3:12-30). Jehiel Jehiel is a Hebrew name meaning "God lives" or "may God live." Several individuals in the Old Testament bear this name, often associated with roles of leadership or service. 1. Jehiel, the Levite: A Levite who played a role in the religious reforms of King Hezekiah, Jehiel was involved in the collection and distribution of offerings for the temple (2 Chronicles 31:13). 2. Jehiel, the Father of Gibeon: He is mentioned as the father of Gibeon and is part of the genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 9:35). 3. Jehiel, the Musician: One of the musicians appointed by David to play in the temple, Jehiel was part of the worship team that led the Israelites in praise (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21). Zechariah Zechariah is a name meaning "Yahweh remembers." It is borne by numerous individuals in the Bible, reflecting the hope and faith in God's covenant promises. 1. Zechariah, the Prophet: The son of Berechiah and grandson of Iddo, Zechariah was a post-exilic prophet who encouraged the rebuilding of the temple and delivered messages of hope and future restoration (Zechariah 1:1). 2. Zechariah, Son of Jehoiada: A priest and prophet who was stoned to death by order of King Joash for condemning the king's apostasy, his martyrdom is a poignant reminder of the cost of speaking God's truth (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). 3. Zechariah, King of Israel: The son of Jeroboam II, he reigned for only six months before being assassinated, marking the end of the dynasty of Jehu (2 Kings 15:8-12). Azariahu Azariahu is a variant of the name Azariah, sharing the same meaning, "Yahweh has helped." It is used interchangeably with Azariah in some biblical texts, often referring to the same individuals. Michael Michael is a name meaning "Who is like God?" It is most famously associated with the archangel Michael, a warrior angel who appears in both the Old and New Testaments. 1. Michael, the Archangel: Known for his role as a protector of Israel and a leader in the heavenly armies, Michael is mentioned in Daniel as standing guard over the people of God (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1). In the New Testament, he contends with the devil over the body of Moses and leads the heavenly host in the battle against the dragon (Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7). 2. Michael, the Chief of the Gershonites: A leader among the Levites during the time of King David, Michael was responsible for overseeing the work of the temple (1 Chronicles 6:40). Shephatiah Shephatiah is a name meaning "Yahweh has judged." It is borne by several individuals in the Old Testament, often associated with leadership or military roles. 1. Shephatiah, Son of David: One of King David's sons, born to him in Jerusalem, Shephatiah is listed among the royal lineage (2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 3:3). 2. Shephatiah, the Benjaminite: A leader of the tribe of Benjamin who returned with Zerubbabel from the Babylonian exile, contributing to the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Ezra 2:4; Nehemiah 7:9). 3. Shephatiah, the Opponent of Jeremiah: One of the officials who opposed the prophet Jeremiah, Shephatiah was involved in the plot to imprison him, demonstrating the resistance faced by God's prophets (Jeremiah 38:1-4). |