Jezaniah יְזַנְיָה
A leader of the Judean forces
Who is Jezaniah in the Bible?
Jezaniah, also known as Azariah, was a military leader of the Judean forces who survived the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. He appears in Jeremiah 40:8 as one of the commanders who came to Gedaliah, the appointed governor of Judah, at Mizpah. In Jeremiah 42:1, Jezaniah and other leaders approached the prophet Jeremiah seeking God's guidance about whether they should flee to Egypt. When Jeremiah delivered the Lord's warning against going to Egypt, Jezaniah and Johanan rejected the prophecy, accused Jeremiah of lying, and led the people to Egypt anyway (Jeremiah 43:2). His refusal to obey God's word through the prophet illustrates the spiritual rebellion and disobedience that characterized Judah's leadership in the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall.
Biography
Jezaniah, also referred to as Azariah, was one of the leaders of the Judean forces who survived the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. In Jer.40.8, he is mentioned among the commanders who came to Gedaliah, the appointed governor of Judah, at Mizpah. Later, in Jer.42.1, Jezaniah and the other leaders approached Jeremiah to seek guidance from the Lord regarding their plan to flee to Egypt. However, when Jeremiah delivered God's message, warning them not to go to Egypt, Jezaniah (called Azariah in this passage) and another leader, Johanan, accused Jeremiah of falsely prophesying and led the people to Egypt despite the divine warning (Jer.43.2).
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 3 verses
- Jeremiah 42:1
"Then all the commanders of the forces, along with Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, approached"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:8
"they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maacathite—they and their men."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 43:2
"Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to reside there.’"
Study Jeremiah →
2 Kings 1 verse
- 2 Kings 25:23
"When all the commanders of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite,..."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יְזַנְיָה |
| Spelled | Hebrew | יַאֲזַנְיָ֫הוּ |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | יַאֲזַנְיָ֫הוּ |
| Named | Hebrew | עֲזַרְיָה |