Azaliah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the religious reforms during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. His name, Azaliah, means "Yahweh has reserved" or "Yahweh has set apart," reflecting the theocentric nature of Hebrew names and their significance in the biblical narrative.

Biblical References:

Azaliah is primarily mentioned in 2 Kings 22:3 and 2 Chronicles 34:8. In these passages, he is identified as the father of Shaphan, the scribe. Shaphan played a crucial role in the religious reforms initiated by King Josiah, which were pivotal in the history of Judah.

2 Kings 22:3 : "In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, the king sent the scribe Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying..."

2 Chronicles 34:8 : "In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God."

Historical and Religious Context:

Azaliah lived during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, marked by idolatry and apostasy. His son, Shaphan, served as a scribe under King Josiah, who ascended to the throne at a young age and sought to restore the worship of Yahweh in Judah. The discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple, during the renovations ordered by Josiah, was a significant event that led to a national religious revival. Shaphan's role in reading the book to the king underscores the importance of Azaliah's lineage in this spiritual renewal.

Family Lineage:

Azaliah is noted as the son of Meshullam, indicating a family line that was likely involved in the administrative and religious affairs of the kingdom. The mention of Azaliah in the genealogical record highlights the importance of his family in the preservation and transmission of the faith during a critical period in Judah's history.

Theological Significance:

The mention of Azaliah, though brief, is significant in understanding the broader narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. Through individuals like Azaliah and his descendants, God orchestrated the preservation and reformation of His people. The reforms under Josiah, facilitated by Azaliah's son Shaphan, were a fulfillment of God's promise to maintain a remnant faithful to His covenant.

Azaliah's legacy, through his son Shaphan, serves as a reminder of the impact that faithful individuals can have in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. His inclusion in the biblical record, though limited to genealogical references, underscores the importance of family and lineage in the biblical worldview, where each generation is called to uphold and transmit the faith to the next.Azaliah

near the Lord

Azaliah

(whom the Lord reserved), the father of Shaphan the scribe in the reign of Josiah. (2 Kings 22:3; 2 Chronicles 34:8) (B.C. before 641.)

AZALIAH

az-a-li'-a atsalyahu, ("Yahweh has set aside"): A son of Meshullam and father of Shaphan the scribe, famous in connection with the discovery of the law in the reign of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:3).

683. Atsalyahu -- "Yah has reserved," an Israelite
... "Yah has reserved," an Israelite. Transliteration: Atsalyahu Phonetic Spelling:
(ats-al-yaw'-hoo) Short Definition: Azaliah. ... NASB Word Usage Azaliah (2). Azaliah ...
/hebrew/683.htm - 6k

Josiah
... returned to Jerusalem.8. Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged
the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Azaliah (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AZALIAH. az-a-li'-a atsalyahu ... 22:3).
Multi-Version Concordance Azaliah (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings 15 ...
/a/azaliah.htm - 7k

Azali'ah (2 Occurrences)
Azali'ah. Azaliah, Azali'ah. Azaniah . Multi-Version Concordance Azali'ah
(2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Azaliah, Azali'ah. Azaniah . Reference Bible.
/a/azali'ah.htm - 7k

Shaphan (26 Occurrences)
... and Jacob's Studies in Biblical Archaeology, 84;). (1) Son of Azaliah and
scribe of King Josiah. He received from Hilkiah the Book ...
/s/shaphan.htm - 18k

Eighteenth (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 22:3 It happened in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent
Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house ...
/e/eighteenth.htm - 10k

Joahaz (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the
land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the ...
/j/joahaz.htm - 8k

Joah (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the
land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the ...
/j/joah.htm - 11k

Josi'ah (50 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 22:3 And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the
king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the ...
/j/josi'ah.htm - 21k

Josiah's (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the
land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the ...
/j/josiah's.htm - 7k

Johaz (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Chronicles 34:8 And in the eighteenth year of his reign, to purify the land and
the house he hath sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah head of the city ...
/j/johaz.htm - 6k

Jo'ahaz (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 34:8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the
land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the ...
/j/jo'ahaz.htm - 7k

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