Topical Encyclopedia
Amariah is a name that appears multiple times in the Old Testament, signifying "Yahweh has promised" or "Yahweh has said." This name is associated with several individuals, primarily from the priestly and Levitical lines, reflecting the religious and spiritual heritage of Israel. Below are the notable figures named Amariah:
1.
Amariah, the High Priest: Amariah is mentioned as a high priest during the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. In
2 Chronicles 19:11, he is appointed by the king to oversee religious matters, highlighting his significant role in maintaining the spiritual integrity of the nation. The verse states, "Behold, Amariah the chief priest will be over you in every matter pertaining to the LORD." This appointment underscores the importance of religious leadership in the governance of Judah.
2.
Amariah, the Ancestor of Ezra: In the genealogical records of Ezra, Amariah is listed as an ancestor of the scribe and priest Ezra (
Ezra 7:3). This lineage emphasizes the continuity of priestly service and the preservation of religious traditions through generations. The genealogy serves to authenticate Ezra's authority and his mission to restore the Law of Moses among the returning exiles.
3.
Amariah, the Levite: Another Amariah is identified as a Levite in the time of King Hezekiah. In
2 Chronicles 31:15, he is one of the men entrusted with distributing the offerings and tithes to their fellow Levites, ensuring the proper support of those serving in the temple. This role highlights the organized and communal nature of worship in ancient Israel.
4.
Amariah, the Priest in Nehemiah's Time: In the book of Nehemiah, Amariah is mentioned as one of the priests who returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua (
Nehemiah 10:3). He is also listed among those who sealed the covenant, committing to follow the Law and separate themselves from the surrounding peoples (
Nehemiah 10:8). This act of sealing the covenant signifies a renewed dedication to God and His commandments during the post-exilic period.
5.
Amariah, the Father of Zechariah: In
2 Chronicles 24:20, Amariah is noted as the father of Zechariah, a prophet who was stoned to death by order of King Joash. Zechariah's martyrdom is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those who spoke God's truth to power.
The recurring presence of the name Amariah in the priestly and Levitical contexts underscores the enduring commitment to spiritual leadership and the upholding of divine law throughout Israel's history. Each Amariah played a role in the religious life of the nation, contributing to the spiritual legacy that shaped the identity of God's people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Amariahthe Lord says; the integrity of the Lord
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Amariah(the Lord says , i.e.promises).
- Father of Ahitub according to (1 Chronicles 6:7,52) and son of Meraioth, in the line of the high priests.
- The high priest in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 19:11) He was the son of Azariah.
- The head of a Levitical house of the Kohathites. (1 Chronicles 23:13;24:23)
- The head of one of the twenty-four courses of priest. (2 Chronicles 31:15;Nehemiah 10:3;12:2,13)
- One of the sons of Bani in the time of Ezra. (Ezra 10:42)
- A priest who returned with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah 10:3;12:2,13)
- A descendant of Pharez. (Nehemiah 11:4)
- An ancestor of Zephaniah the prophet. (Zephaniah 1:1)
ATS Bible Dictionary
Amariah1. Son of Meraioth, a descendant of Aaron in the line of Eleazar. He was the father of Ahitub, (SeeAHITUB 2.) and grandfather of Zadok, in whose person the high priesthood was restored to that line,1 Chronicles 6:7
2. High priest at a later period, a son of Azariah, and father of another Ahitub,1 Chronicles 6:11. In like manner, in the same list there are three persons named Azariah.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Said by Jehovah.
(1.) One of the descendants of Aaron by Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:7, 52). He was probably the last of the high priests of Eleazar's line prior to the transfer of that office to Eli, of the line of Ithamar.
(2.) A Levite, son of Hebron, of the lineage of Moses (1 Chronicles 23:19;24:23).
(3.) A "chief priest" who took an active part in the reformation under Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 19:11); probably the same as mentioned in1 Chronicles 6:9.
(4.)1 Chronicles 6:11;Ezra 7:3.
(5.) One of the high priests in the time of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:15).
(6.)Zephaniah 1:1.
(7.)Nehemiah 11:4.
(8.)Nehemiah 10:3.
(9.)Ezra 10:42.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AMARIAHam-a-ri'-a ('amaryah and 'amaryahu, "the Lord has said"; compare HPN, 180, 285).
(1) A Levite in the line of Aaron-Eleazar; a son of Meraioth and grandfather of Zadok (1 Chronicles 6:7, 52) who lived in David's time. Compare Zadok (2 Samuel 15:27, etc.) also Ant, VIII, i, 3 and X, viii, 6.
(2) A Levite in the line of Kohath-Hebron referred to in1 Chronicles 23:19 and 24:23 at the time when David divided the Levites into courses.
(3) A Levite in the line of Aaron-Eleazar; a son of Azariah who "executed the priest's office in the house that Solomon built" (1 Chronicles 6:10). CompareEzra 7:3 where in the abbreviated list this Amariah is mentioned as an ancestor of Ezra. SeeAMARIAS (1 Esdras 8:2; 2 Esdras 1:2) and number (4) of this article
(4) Chief priest and judge "in all matters of Yahweh" appointed by Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 19:11). Possibly identical with Amariah, number (3).
(5) A descendant of Judah in the line of Perez and an ancestor of Ataiah who lived in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 11:4). Compare Imri (1 Chronicles 9:4) and number (7) of this article, which Amariah seems to be of the same family,
(6) A Levite and an assistant of Kore who was appointed by Hezekiah to distributed the "oblations of Yahweh" to their brethren (2 Chronicles 31:15).
(7) A son of Bani who had married a foreign woman (Ezra 10:42). See number (5) of this article
(8) A priest who with Nehemiah sealed the covenant (Nehemiah 10:3); he had returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 12:2) and was the father of Jehohanan (compare Hanani,Ezra 10:20), priest at the time of Joiakim (Nehemiah 12:13). Compare Immer (Ezra 2:37;Ezra 10:20Nehemiah 7:40) and also Emmeruth (the King James Version "Meruth," 1 Esdras 5:24).
(9) An ancestor of Zephaniah, the prophet (Zephaniah 1:1).
A. L. Breslich
Strong's Hebrew
568. Amaryahu -- "Yah has promised," the name of several...... "Yah has promised," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Amaryahu or
Amaryah Phonetic Spelling: (am-ar-yaw') Short Definition:
Amariah.
...Amariah.
...Library
Hymns of Hope and Consolation.
... No coming generation will ever feel the pious gladness ofAmariah Hall's "All Saints
New" in E flat major as it stirred the Christian choirs of seventy five...
'A Mirror for Magistrates'
... And, behold,Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and
Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the...
Concerning Jehoshaphat Again; How He Constituted Judges And,
... Now he set over themAmariah the priest, and Zebadiah, [both] of the tribe of Judah;
and after this manner it was that the king ordered these affairs....
Jehoshaphat
... "And, behold,Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and
Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the...
The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... The genealogy of Zephaniah is given through Cushi, Gedaliah, andAmariah to Hezekiah;
for in the original Hebrew the words Hizkiah and Hezekiah are the same....
Thesaurus
Amariah (14 Occurrences)... (9.) Ezra 10:42. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
AMARIAH.
... Compare Ezra 7:3 where
in the abbreviated list this
Amariah is mentioned as an ancestor of Ezra.
...Amariah's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceAmariah's (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 12:13
of Ezra, Meshullam; ofAmariah, Jehohanan; (See NIV)....
Amari'ah (13 Occurrences)
Amari'ah.Amariah, Amari'ah.Amariah's .... Amari'ah (13 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles
6:7 Meraioth begotAmariah, andAmariah begot Ahitub; (See RSV)....
Ahitub (16 Occurrences)
... (3) In the genealogies, in the seventh generation from Ahitub, the descendant of
Eleazar, appears another Ahitub, the son of anotherAmariah and the father (or...
Meraioth (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Rebellions. (1.) Father ofAmariah, a high priest
of the line of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:6, 7, 52). (2...
Ahi'tub (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:7 Meraioth begotAmariah, andAmariah begot Ahitub; (See RSV).... 1
Chronicles 6:11 and Azariah begotAmariah, andAmariah begot Ahitub; (See RSV)....
Merai'oth (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:7 Meraioth begotAmariah, andAmariah begot Ahitub; (See RSV). 1
Chronicles 6:52 Meraioth his son,Amariah his son, Ahitub his son; (See RSV)....
Azari'ah (46 Occurrences)
... in Jerusalem-- (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 6:11 and Azariah begotAmariah,
andAmariah begot Ahitub; (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 6:13 and...
Begot (119 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 6:7 Meraioth begotAmariah, andAmariah begot Ahitub, (DBY JPS).... 1
Chronicles 6:11 and Azariah begotAmariah, andAmariah begot Ahitub, (DBY JPS)....
Begat (112 Occurrences)
... Meraioth, (KJV ASV WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles 6:7 Meraioth begatAmariah, andAmariah
begat Ahitub, (KJV ASV WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles 6:8 And...
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