מַעַזְיָה
𐤌𐤏𐤆𐤉𐤄
Maazeyah
H4590 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'Yah(weh) is a refuge' or 'Yah(weh) is a stronghold.' Refers to one or more individuals in biblical narratives, most notably a priest listed among the twenty-four priestly divisions established by King David. The semantic range is limited to use as a personal name with the implication of Yahweh's protective quality or strength.
Semantic Range
personal name signifying 'Yah is a refuge' or 'Yah is strong,' indicates divine protection or strength as an aspect of Yahweh.
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root עז ('uz), meaning 'to be strong' or 'to take refuge,' combined with the theophoric suffix יָהּ (Yah), referring to the Israelite deity Yahweh. Thus, מַעַזְיָה (= מַעַזְיָהוּ, Maʻazyahu) literally expresses 'Yah is a refuge' or 'Yah is strength.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name מַעַזְיָה and its fuller form מַעַזְיָהוּ appear in genealogical and priestly lists (e.g., 1 Chronicles 24:18). As a personal name, it illustrates the common Israelite practice of embedding the divine name and attributes into personal names. English translations sometimes render this as 'Maaziah,' but the theological implication (protection or refuge provided by Yahweh) is embedded in the original Hebrew structure. The name is distinct from other similar formations (such as names with עזי or עזר) and reflects a specific focus on divine strength or protection. Its use is limited to personal names from the monarchic and post-exilic periods; it does not appear as a common noun or title.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מַעַזְיָהוּ; probably from עוּז (in the sense of protection) and יָהּ; rescue of Jah; Maazjah, the name of two Israelites; Maaziah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עזז (ʿ-z-z) — strength, might, refuge, stronghold
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4581 | מָעוֹז | in a stronghold of |
| H5794 | עַז | strong |
| H5795 | עֵז | in the goats |
| H5797 | עֹז | my strength |
| H5798 | עֻזָּא | in Strength |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4590-02 |
מַֽעַזְיָ֥ה | maazeyah | HNp |
Maaziah | Yah Is Stronghold | 1 |
H4590-01 |
לְ/מַֽעַזְיָ֖הוּ | lemaazeyahu | HR/Np |
to Maaziah | to Yah-is-Refuge | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4590-02 |
Nehemiah 10:9 | מַֽעַזְיָ֥ה | maazeyah | HNp |
Maaziah | Yah Is Stronghold |
H4590-01 |
1 Chronicles 24:18 | לְ/מַֽעַזְיָ֖הוּ | lemaazeyahu | HR/Np |
to Maaziah | to Yah-is-Refuge |