Lexical Summary Yizliy'ah: Yizliy'ah Original Word: יִזְלִיאָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jezliah Perhaps from an unused root (meaning to draw up); he will draw out; Jizliah, an Israelite -- Jezliah. Brown-Driver-Briggs יִזְלִיאָה proper name, masculine a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 8:18 (ᵐ5 Ζαρεια, A Εζλια, ᵐ5L Ἰεζελια). זלג (Arabic Topical Lexicon Name and Theological Nuance The personal name יִזְלִיאָה (Yizliah) bears the covenantal element “-iah,” a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. The root connotes Yahweh’s active deliverance, making the name itself a testimony that rescue and preservation come from the Lord. Even in a brief genealogical notice, the Chronicler preserves this confession, reminding later readers that the God who redeems Israel is woven into the very identities of His people. Biblical Occurrence Yizliah is found a single time in Scripture: “Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.” (1 Chronicles 8:18) Genealogical Setting 1 Chronicles 8 traces multiple lines within the tribe of Benjamin, culminating in Saul’s lineage (verses 33-40). Elpaal, mentioned earlier in the same chapter (verse 12), stands within a branch known for founding or rebuilding strategic towns such as Ono and Lod (verse 12). Yizliah, as Elpaal’s son, thus belongs to a family noted for initiative and settlement on the western edge of Benjaminite territory—areas later significant during the return from exile (Nehemiah 6:2; 11:35). Historical Context Chronicles was compiled after the Babylonian exile, when national identity needed reaffirmation. Every name in the tribal records demonstrated God’s faithfulness to preserve a remnant. By recording lesser-known figures like Yizliah, the Chronicler asserts that no member of the covenant community is overlooked. This is especially poignant for Benjamin, a small tribe whose territory bordered Jerusalem and whose loyalty often oscillated (Judges 19-21; 2 Samuel 20). The inclusion of Yizliah underscores God’s determination to sustain even the seemingly marginal families of His people. Theological Themes 1. Divine Deliverance: The name itself witnesses that salvation is Yahweh’s work, anticipating later declarations of deliverance perfected in Christ (Colossians 1:13). Ministry Significance • Valuing the Hidden Servant: Yizliah never receives exploits or speeches, yet his mention affirms that obscurity before men does not equal insignificance before God. Pastors and lay workers alike find encouragement that the Lord records every act of faithfulness (Hebrews 6:10). Geographical and Post-Exilic Links Elpaal’s clan—Yizliah included—was connected to Lod and Ono, towns rebuilt by returning exiles (Nehemiah 11:35). This suggests that descendants of Yizliah may have stood among those who responded to the prophetic call to leave Babylon and restore the land. Their ancestral identity became a catalyst for renewed commitment to covenant life. New Testament Echoes Benjaminite identity surfaces again in the apostle Paul, “a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5). The preservation of names like Yizliah paved the way for Paul’s own heritage, showing how every generation contributes to God’s unfolding plan. The faithfulness that guarded Yizliah’s line ultimately served gospel expansion to the Gentiles. Summary Though Yizliah appears only once, his name embodies Yahweh’s deliverance, his placement confirms the meticulous faithfulness of God to Benjamin, and his legacy calls believers to value every member of the covenant family—known or obscure—in the ongoing account of redemption. Forms and Transliterations וְיִזְלִיאָ֛ה ויזליאה veyizliAh wə·yiz·lî·’āh wəyizlî’āhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 8:18 HEB: וְיִשְׁמְרַ֧י וְיִזְלִיאָ֛ה וְיוֹבָ֖ב בְּנֵ֥י NAS: Ishmerai, Izliah and Jobab KJV: Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, INT: Ishmerai Izliah and Jobab the sons 1 Occurrence |
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glide, slip; of arrow, skim, slide along; 
a kind of latch, sliding bolt; Aramaic זְלַג is pour forth (tears), flow down).