Jahaziel is a notable figure in the Old Testament, recognized primarily for his role as a prophet during the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. His name, meaning "God sees" or "God watches over," reflects his divine calling and the significant message he delivered to the people of Judah.

Biblical Account

The most prominent mention of Jahaziel occurs in 2 Chronicles 20. During this period, King Jehoshaphat faced a formidable alliance of enemies—the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites—who came to wage war against Judah. In response to this threat, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout Judah, and the people gathered to seek help from the LORD.

In this moment of national crisis, Jahaziel, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, was moved by the Spirit of the LORD to deliver a prophetic message. The Bible records:

"Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. And he said, 'Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'" (2 Chronicles 20:14-15)

Jahaziel's message was one of reassurance and divine intervention. He instructed the people not to fear, for the LORD would fight on their behalf. The prophecy continued with specific instructions for the following day:

"Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.'" (2 Chronicles 20:16-17)

Role and Significance

Jahaziel's role as a prophet was crucial in bolstering the faith of the people of Judah. His message emphasized reliance on God's power rather than human strength. The prophecy not only provided strategic guidance but also reinforced the theological truth that God is sovereign and actively involved in the affairs of His people.

The subsequent events confirmed Jahaziel's prophecy. As the people of Judah went out to face their enemies, they witnessed the LORD's deliverance. The opposing forces turned against each other, leading to their defeat without Judah having to engage in battle. This miraculous victory underscored the truth of Jahaziel's words and the faithfulness of God to His promises.

Lineage and Background

Jahaziel was a descendant of Asaph, a prominent Levite musician and seer during the time of King David. The sons of Asaph were known for their role in temple worship, and Jahaziel's lineage suggests a background steeped in the worship and service of the LORD. This heritage likely prepared him for his prophetic ministry and the pivotal moment recorded in 2 Chronicles 20.

Legacy

Jahaziel's prophecy and the subsequent victory had a lasting impact on the people of Judah. It served as a powerful reminder of God's protection and the importance of seeking Him in times of trouble. His account is a testament to the power of faith and the assurance that God sees and intervenes on behalf of His people.Jahaziel

seeing God

Jahaziel

(whom God watches over)

1. One of the heroes of Benjamin who joined David at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:4) (B.C. 1055.)
2. A priest in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 16:6)
3. A Kohathite Levite, third son of Hebron. (1 Chronicles 23:19; 24:23)
4. Son of Zechariah, a Levite of the Bene-Asaph in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 20:14) (B.C. 896.)
5. The "son of Jahaziel" was the chief of the Bene-Shecaniah who returned from Babylon with Ezra. (Ezra 8:5) (B.C. before 459.)

Beheld by God.

(1.) The third son of Hebron (1 Chronicles 23:19).

(2.) A Benjamite chief who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:4).

(3.) A priest who accompanied the removal of the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:6).

(4.) The son of Zechariah, a Levite of the family of Asaph (2 Chronicles 20:14-17). He encouraged Jehoshaphat against the Moabites and Ammonites.

JAHAZIEL

ja-ha'-zi-el (yachazi'el, "God sees"):

(1) In 1 Chronicles 12:4 (Hebrew 5), one of David's recruits at Ziklag, a Benjamite or maybe a Judean.

(2) In 1 Chronicles 16:6, one of two priests appointed by David to sound trumpets before the ark on its journey to Jerusalem. The Septuagint's Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus, read "Uzziel."

(3) In 1 Chronicles 23:19; 1 Chronicles 24:23, a Levite, "son" of Hebron, a Kohathite. Kittel, following the Septuagint, reads "Uzziel."

(4) In 2 Chronicles 20:14, an Asaphite, son of Zechariah. He encouraged King Jehoshaphat of Judah and his subjects to fight against the Moabite and Ammonite invaders.

(5) In Ezra 8:5, an ancestor of one of the families of the Restoration. Read probably "of the sons of Zattu, Sheconiah the son of Jahaziel," following 1 Esdras 8:32 (= Jezelus).

David Francis Roberts

3166. Yachaziel -- "God sees," the name of several Israelites
... "God sees," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Yachaziel Phonetic
Spelling: (yakh-az-ee-ale') Short Definition: Jahaziel. ... Jahaziel, Jahziel. ...
/hebrew/3166.htm - 6k

Concerning Jehoshaphat Again; How He Constituted Judges And,
... fell into tears; and the whole multitude, together with their wives and children,
made their supplications also: upon which a certain prophet, Jahaziel by name ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 concerning jehoshaphat again.htm

Jehoshaphat
... As the people joined with their king in humbling themselves before God, and asking
Him for help, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, "a Levite of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

The Means of Grace
... Lord. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation, in the house of the Lord. "
Then upon Jahaziel came the Spirit of the Lord. And ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 16 the means of.htm

On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ...
... And as we have it in Chronicles, Azariah [2067] , in the time of King Asa, and Jahaziel
[2068] in the time of King Jehoshaphat, partook of the Holy Ghost; and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvi on the article.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... xv.1-8), and Hanani under Asa (2 Ghron. xvi.7-10), Jahaziel (2 Ghron. xx.14-19),
and Eliezer, son of Dodavahu (2 Ghron. xx.37), in the time of Johoshaphat. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Jahaziel (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAHAZIEL. ... Read probably "of the sons of Zattu,
Sheconiah the son of Jahaziel," following 1 Esdras 8:32 (= Jezelus). ...
/j/jahaziel.htm - 10k

Jaha'ziel (6 Occurrences)
... Jahaziel, Jaha'ziel. Jahdai . ... 1 Chronicles 16:6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the
priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God. ...
/j/jaha'ziel.htm - 7k

Uzziel (17 Occurrences)
... (6) A goldsmith who joined in repairing the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:8). (7)
The reading of Septuagint (Oziel) for Jahaziel in 1 Chronicles 23:19. ...
/u/uzziel.htm - 14k

Jeri'ah (2 Occurrences)
... Jeri'ah (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief,
Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. (See RSV). ...
/j/jeri'ah.htm - 6k

Jekame'am (2 Occurrences)
... Jekame'am (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief,
Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. (See RSV). ...
/j/jekame'am.htm - 6k

Jeriah (3 Occurrences)
... Jeriah (3 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief,
Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. ...
/j/jeriah.htm - 7k

Jekameam (2 Occurrences)
... Jekameam (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief,
Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. ...
/j/jekameam.htm - 7k

Mattaniah (16 Occurrences)
... the "priests' sons with trumpets." (3) May be the same as (2), though in 2 Chronicles
20:14 he is mentioned as an ancestor of that Jahaziel whose inspired ...
/m/mattaniah.htm - 14k

Amari'ah (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second,
Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. (See RSV). ...
/a/amari'ah.htm - 9k

Amariah (14 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Chronicles 23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the
second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. (WEB ...
/a/amariah.htm - 14k

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