Jezaniah, also known as Jaazaniah, is a biblical figure mentioned in the context of the tumultuous period following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. His name, which means "Yahweh has heard," reflects a common theophoric element in Hebrew names, indicating a connection to the God of Israel.

Biblical References:

Jezaniah is primarily mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of 2 Kings. In Jeremiah 40:8, he is listed among the leaders who came to Gedaliah at Mizpah after the Babylonian conquest. The Berean Standard Bible states: "they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—namely, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite, they and their men."

In this context, Jezaniah is portrayed as one of the military leaders who survived the fall of Jerusalem and sought to align with Gedaliah, whom the Babylonians appointed as governor over the remnant in Judah. This gathering at Mizpah was a significant moment, as it represented an attempt to stabilize the region and maintain some form of governance under Babylonian oversight.

Role and Significance:

Jezaniah's role as a leader among the remnant of Judah highlights the complex political and social dynamics of the time. His presence at Mizpah indicates his willingness to cooperate with Gedaliah, suggesting a pragmatic approach to the new political reality imposed by Babylonian rule. This cooperation was crucial for the survival and organization of the Jewish community left in the land.

However, the situation was fraught with tension and danger. The assassination of Gedaliah by Ishmael son of Nethaniah, as recorded in Jeremiah 41, plunged the region into further chaos. Although Jezaniah's direct involvement in these events is not detailed, his association with the leaders at Mizpah places him at the heart of this critical historical moment.

Historical and Theological Context:

Jezaniah's account is set against the backdrop of the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal event in Jewish history. The destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of many Judeans to Babylon marked a period of profound crisis and transformation for the people of Israel. Leaders like Jezaniah, who remained in the land, faced the challenge of preserving their community's identity and faith under foreign domination.

From a theological perspective, Jezaniah's narrative underscores themes of judgment, survival, and hope. The Babylonian conquest was seen as divine judgment for the nation's sins, yet the presence of leaders like Jezaniah among the remnant suggests God's continued faithfulness and the possibility of restoration. The name "Jezaniah," meaning "Yahweh has heard," may symbolize the hope that God would hear the cries of His people and eventually bring about their redemption.

Conclusion:

Jezaniah's mention in the biblical text, though brief, provides insight into the leadership and challenges faced by the Jewish remnant in the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall. His willingness to align with Gedaliah reflects a strategic approach to survival and governance during a period of great uncertainty and upheaval.Jezaniah

nourishment, or weapons, of the Lord

Jezaniah

(whom Jehovah hears), the son of Hoshaiah the Maachathite, and one of the captains of the forces who had escaped from Jerusalem during the final attack of the beleaguering army of the Chaldeans. (B.C. 588.) When the Babylonians had departed, Jezaniah, with the men under his command, was one of the first who returned to Gedaliah at Mizpah. In the events which followed the assassination of that officer Jezaniah took a prominent part. (2 Kings 25:23; Jeremiah 40:8; 42:1; 43:2)

JEZANIAH

jez-a-ni'-a (yezanyahu, probably "Yahweh hears"; compare JAAZANIAH): In Jeremiah 40:8, and also 42:1 where Septuagint has "Azariah," as in 43:2 (see Driver, Jer) = JAAZANIAH, (1) (which see).

3153. Yezanyah -- Jezaniah
... Yezanyah or Yezanyahu. 3154 . Jezaniah. Transliteration: Yezanyah or Yezanyahu
Phonetic Spelling: (yez-an-yaw') Short Definition: Jezaniah. ... Jezaniah. ...
/hebrew/3153.htm - 6k

How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea ...
... Mispah. Now the rulers that were over them were Johanan, the son of Kareah,
and Jezaniah, and Seraiah, and others beside them. Now ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how nebuzaradan set.htm

Jezaniah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JEZANIAH. jez-a-ni'-a ... which see).
Multi-Version Concordance Jezaniah (2 Occurrences). Jeremiah 40 ...
/j/jezaniah.htm - 7k

Kareah (14 Occurrences)
... son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son
of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son ...
/k/kareah.htm - 12k

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)
... Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan sons of Kareah, and Seraiah son
of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of ...
/k/kare'ah.htm - 10k

Jaazaniah (5 Occurrences)
... He is the "Jezaniah" of Jeremiah 40:8; Jeremiah 42:1. Though not mentioned by name,
he was presumably one of those captains who joined Johnnan in his attack on ...
/j/jaazaniah.htm - 11k

Jezani'ah (1 Occurrence)
Jezani'ah. Jezaniah, Jezani'ah. Jezebel . Multi-Version Concordance
Jezani'ah (1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Jezaniah, Jezani'ah. Jezebel . Reference
/j/jezani'ah.htm - 6k

Joha'nan (25 Occurrences)
... Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan sons of Kareah, and Seraiah son
of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of ...
/j/joha'nan.htm - 13k

Johanan (31 Occurrences)
... son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son
of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son ...
/j/johanan.htm - 21k

Hoshaiah (3 Occurrences)
... ho-sha'-ya (hosha`yah, "whom Yahweh helpeth"): (1) Father of Jezaniah (probably =
Azariah, so the Septuagint; compare Jeremiah 42:1 and 43:2 with 2 Kings 25:23 ...
/h/hoshaiah.htm - 8k

Nethani'ah (20 Occurrences)
... Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan sons of Kareah, and Seraiah son
of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of ...
/n/nethani'ah.htm - 13k

Netophathite (9 Occurrences)
... son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son
of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son ...
/n/netophathite.htm - 9k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus