Lexical Definition
אֲמַרְיָה ʼĂmaryâh (am-ar-yaw') Amariah N:N-M-P
or prolonged אֲמַרְיָהוּ ʼĂmaryâhûw (am-ar-yaw'-hoo); from אָמַר and יָהּ; Jah has said (i.e. promised)
Amariah.
- § Amariah = "Jehovah speaks" or "Yah(u) has promised"
- Amarjah, the name of nine Israelites
1) Zadok's grandfather
2) a head priest's son in Solomon's time
3) a chief priest under Jehoshaphat
4) Hezekiah's son, great-grandfather of Zephaniah
5) a Levite in Ezra's time
6) a Levite under Hezekiah
7) a priest in Nehemiah's time
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Neh.10.3
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֲמַרְי֫הוּ אֲמַרְיָה proper name, masculine (Yah(u) hath promised, compare Palmyrene אֶמרשמשא Sabean יתעאמר) long form only 1Chr 24:23; 2Chr 19:11; 2Chr 31:15.
1. a Levite 1Chr 23:19; 1Chr 24:23 (in David's time), compare 1Chr 5:33* (twice in verse); 1Chr 6:37*; Ezra 7:3 see also
2. 1Chr 5:37* (twice in verse); also
3. Ezra 10:42.
4. chief priest under Jehosh. 2Chr 19:11.
5. Levite under Hezekiah 2Chr 31:15.
6. son of Hezekiah & great-grandfather of Zephaniah Zeph 1:1.
7. a priest Neh 10:4*; Neh 12:2; Neh 12:13.
8. a man of Judah Neh 11:4.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Chronicles | 5:33* · 5:37* · 6:37* · 23:19 · 24:23 |
| 2 Chronicles | 19:11 · 31:15 |
| Ezra | 7:3 · 10:42 |
| Nehemiah | 10:4* · 11:4 · 12:2 · 12:13 |
| Zephaniah | 1:1 |
Profile
Male • Returned priest • Priest who sealed Nehemiah's covenant and served as chief priest
Man living at the time of Exile and Return
Amariah was a priest who sealed Nehemiah's covenant and later served as a chief priest during the high priesthood of Joiakim. (Neh.10.3; 12.2,13)
- A priest living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Neh.10.3;
- only referred to as Amariah אֲמַרְיָה.
Amariah is mentioned in the context of the religious reforms and the rebuilding of Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah. He was among the priests who sealed the covenant that Nehemiah and the people made to follow the Law of God. (Neh.10.1-29)
By sealing the covenant, Amariah and the other priests pledged to uphold its stipulations, which included observing the Sabbath, providing for the temple service, and refraining from intermarriage with the surrounding peoples. (Neh.10.30-39)
Later, Amariah is listed among the chief priests who served during the high priesthood of Joiakim, the son of Jeshua. (Neh.12.12-21) As a chief priest, Amariah would have had a leadership role in the temple service and in guiding the people in their religious practices.
The mention of Amariah in these contexts highlights the importance of the priesthood in the restoration of Jerusalem and the renewal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It also demonstrates the continuity of the priestly lineage and the significance of their role in maintaining the religious life of the community.
All entries for Amariah: אֲמַרְיָה