Lexical Summary Amashsay: Amashai Original Word: עֲמַשְׁסַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Amashai Probably from amac; burdensome; Amashsay, an Israelite -- Amashai. see HEBREW amac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably from the same as Amasa Definition an Isr. priest NASB Translation Amashsai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲמַשְׁסַי proper name, masculine (probably textual error for foregoing, Ol§ 2771, compare Thes1044); — a priest Nehemiah 11:13, Αμασεια[-σαι], = מַעֲשַׂי 1 Chronicles 9:12 (Μαασαια[-σει]). ענב (√ of following; compare Late Hebrew עֵנָב = Biblical Hebrew; Arabic Topical Lexicon Biblical setting The single occurrence of עֲמַשְׁסַי (Amashsai) belongs to the list of priests who resettled Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah records, “and his relatives, heads of families—242 in all. Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer.” (Nehemiah 11:13). This list, placed between the account of the wall-building and the covenant renewal, highlights those whose presence was essential for the restoration of worship in the rebuilt city. Genealogical placement Amashsai descends from the house of Immer, one of the twenty-four priestly divisions established in the days of David (1 Chronicles 24:14). Earlier members of this line include Pashhur son of Immer, who served in the Temple before the exile (Jeremiah 20:1). The genealogy supplied by Nehemiah preserves four generations, anchoring Amashsai within the authentic priestly succession that survived the captivity. Such precision guards the sanctity of the altar by demonstrating that only true sons of Aaron (Ezra 2:61-63) were permitted to serve. Participation in the repopulation of Jerusalem The wall of Jerusalem was finished (Nehemiah 6:15), but a largely empty city could not function as the covenant center. By sacred lot one out of every ten Israelites moved inside the walls (Nehemiah 11:1-2). The 242 kinsmen attached to Amashsai were therefore a substantial portion of the 1,192 priests who took up residence (Nehemiah 11:12-14). Their relocation secured a constant priestly presence for daily sacrifice, incense, blessing, and instruction in the Law (Deuteronomy 33:10). Amashsai’s willingness to uproot his family illustrates the priority of God’s worship over personal comfort, echoing the patriarchal obedience seen in Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4). Priestly heritage and duties As a descendant of Immer, Amashsai served within a division scheduled to minister at the Temple twice a year (2 Chronicles 23:8) and at the great feasts when all divisions assembled (Deuteronomy 16:16). Nehemiah’s generation was re-instituting these rhythms (Nehemiah 12:44-47). Amashsai would have participated in the daily morning and evening burnt offerings (Exodus 29:38-42), the reading of the Law to the people (Nehemiah 8:7-8), and the sprinkling of blood on the Day of Atonement under the High Priest’s leadership (Leviticus 16). By maintaining purity requirements—marital, genealogical, and ceremonial—he upheld the holiness of the sanctuary (Leviticus 21:1-15). Connections with the house of Immer The Immer line had experienced both dishonor and mercy. Pashhur son of Immer persecuted Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:1-2), yet later descendants returned from exile in faith (Ezra 2:37). Amashsai stands as evidence that God does not cast off an entire family for the failure of one representative; He preserves a remnant for Himself (Romans 11:5). The presence of faithful priests from Immer in the restored Temple fulfills the promise that the Lord would “appoint for Myself priests who will do according to what is in My heart and mind” (1 Samuel 2:35). Theological significance 1. Continuity of covenant worship—Amashsai’s record demonstrates that the same priestly lines serving in Solomon’s Temple once again offered sacrifice after the exile, underscoring the unbroken thread of redemptive history. Practical application Modern readers find in Amashsai a model of sacrificial relocation for the sake of God’s kingdom, a reminder that spiritual heritage calls for personal participation, and an encouragement that fidelity—not fame—earns the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Forms and Transliterations וַעֲמַשְׁסַ֧י ועמשסי vaamashSai wa‘ămašsay wa·‘ă·maš·sayLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 11:13 HEB: אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וּשְׁנָ֑יִם וַעֲמַשְׁסַ֧י בֶּן־ עֲזַרְאֵ֛ל NAS: [households], 242; and Amashsai the son KJV: and two: and Amashai the son INT: forty two and Amashsai the son of Azarel 1 Occurrence |
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id.; Sabean אנעב vineyards SabDenkm47; MordtmZMG xli (1887), 309, 364; ᵑ7 עִנָּכָא; perhaps also Assyrian inbu, fruit (and not = אֵב q. v. ), compare HomA. und A.94).