Lexical Summary Achzay: Achzai Original Word: אַחְזַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ahasai From 'achaz; seizer; Achzai, an Israelite -- Ahasai. see HEBREW 'achaz NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom achaz and Yah Definition "Yah has grasped," an Isr. name NASB Translation Ahzai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲחַזְיָ֫הוּ, אֲחַזְיָה, אַחְזַי proper name, masculine (Yah(u) hath grasped; ᵐ5 Ὀχοζ(ε)ιας 1 Kings 22:52 etc., compare LagBN 53) **compare Arabic 1 king of Israel, son of Ahab 1 Kings 22:40,50,52; 2 Kings 1:18; 2Chronicles 20:37 (אֲחַזְיָהוּ); + 2 Kings 1:2; 2Chronicles 20:35 (אֲחַזְיָה). 2 king of Judah, son of Joram 2 Kings 8:24,25; 2 Kings 9:21; 2 Kings 10:13; 2 Kings 11:1; 2 Kings 12:19; 2 Kings 13:1; 2 Kings 14:13; 1 Chronicles 3:11; 1 Chronicles 22:1 15t. 2Kings, 1Chronicles (all אֲחַזְיָהוּ); 2 Kings 9:16,23,27,29; 2 Kings 11:2 (אֲחַזְיָה). 3 אַחְזַי a priest Nehemiah 11:13 (for which יַחְזֵרָה 1 Chronicles 9:12 see SmListen, Tafel). Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting and Occurrence Ahzai appears once, in Nehemiah 11:13, within the roster of priests who settled in Jerusalem after the exile. The verse identifies him as an ancestor in the lineage of Amashsai, locating his family within the priestly division of Immer. Historical Context Nehemiah 11 records the repopulation of Jerusalem during the Persian period. Families were chosen by lot to reside in the city so that worship and civil life could flourish again at the covenant center. Ahzai’s family is listed among those who willingly embraced this responsibility, reflecting a commitment to restore proper temple ministry in the rebuilt city (Nehemiah 11:1–2). Priestly Lineage The genealogy—“Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer” (Nehemiah 11:13)—links Ahzai to the sons of Immer, one of the original priestly houses (1 Chronicles 24:14). Descendants of Immer returned from Babylon (Ezra 2:37; Nehemiah 7:40), and some participated in the reform under Ezra (Ezra 10:20). Ahzai therefore stands in a continuous priestly heritage that survived exile, illustrating God’s preservation of ordained ministry. Role in Post-Exilic Worship Though the text is brief, Ahzai’s placement in the record signals several themes: Theological Significance 1. God safeguards His redemptive structures. By tracing Amashsai back to Ahzai, Scripture demonstrates that God preserves the offices necessary for covenant life (Malachi 2:4–7). Implications for Ministry Today • Uphold ministerial continuity: Churches benefit from honoring doctrinal heritage while serving contemporary needs, just as Ahzai’s line upheld priestly tradition amid new circumstances. Summary Ahzai, though briefly mentioned, embodies the post-exilic priesthood’s resilience and the Lord’s commitment to maintain worship according to His word. His legacy urges modern believers to cherish faithful lineage, serve sacrificially, and trust that God records every act done for His name. Forms and Transliterations אַחְזַ֥י אחזי ’aḥ·zay ’aḥzay achZaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 11:13 HEB: עֲזַרְאֵ֛ל בֶּן־ אַחְזַ֥י בֶּן־ מְשִׁלֵּמ֖וֹת NAS: the son of Ahzai, the son KJV: the son of Ahasai, the son INT: of Azarel the son of Ahzai the son of Meshillemoth |