Maaseiah מַעֲשֵׂיָהוּ
Priest during the reigns of Zedekiah and Jehoiakim
Who is Maaseiah in the Bible?
Maaseiah was a priest who served during the reigns of Kings Zedekiah and Jehoiakim of Judah in the late 7th century BCE. He is mentioned in the book of Jeremiah as the father of Zephaniah, another priest (Jer. 21:1; 29:25; 37:3). King Zedekiah sent both Maaseiah and his son Zephaniah to inquire of the prophet Jeremiah about how Judah should respond to the Babylonian invasion (Jer. 21:1; 37:3). Jeremiah also identified Maaseiah as the second priest serving under the high priest Jehoiada (Jer. 29:25), indicating he held a significant position in the priestly hierarchy during Judah's final years before exile. His appearances in scripture illustrate the spiritual concern of Judah's leadership as the nation faced its greatest crisis.
Biography
Maaseiah was a priest who served during the reigns of Kings Zedekiah and Jehoiakim of Judah (Jer.21.1; 29.25; 37.3). He was the father of Zephaniah, who was also a priest (Jer.21.1; 29.25; 37.3). During the reign of Zedekiah, Maaseiah and his son Zephaniah were sent by the king to inquire of the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Babylonian invasion (Jer.21.1; 37.3). Maaseiah is also mentioned in a letter sent by Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon, where he is referred to as the second priest under Jehoiada, the high priest (Jer.29.25). This suggests that Maaseiah held a significant position within the priestly hierarchy. The biblical text does not provide further details about Maaseiah's personal life or his other priestly duties.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 3 verses
- Jeremiah 21:1
"This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said,"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 29:25
"this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “In your own name you have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests. You said to Zephaniah:"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 37:3
"Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!”"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מַעֲשֵׂיָהוּ |