or (prolonged) דְּלָיָהוּxlit Dᵉlâyâhhûw corrected to Dᵉlâyâhûw; from דָּלָה and יָהּ; Jah has delivered; Delajah, the name of five Israelites; Dalaiah, Delaiah.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **Dᵉlâyâh**, represented by `{{H1806}}`, means **Jah has delivered**. It appears 7 times in 7 unique verses in the Bible. The name, which has a prolonged form of Dᵉlâyâhûw and is sometimes spelled Dalaiah, is used to identify five different Israelites who appear during pivotal moments in Israel's history.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, the name `{{H1806}}` is associated with several distinct individuals. One Delaiah was a prince in the court of King Jehoiakim who, along with others, urged the king not to burn the scroll containing God's word ([[Jeremiah 36:12]], [[Jeremiah 36:25]]). Another man named Delaiah was the ancestor of a family that returned from exile, as recorded in both Ezra and Nehemiah ([[Ezra 2:60]], [[Nehemiah 7:62]]). A different Delaiah is mentioned as the father of Shemaiah, a man who tried to intimidate Nehemiah into hiding in the temple by warning of a plot to kill him [[Nehemiah 6:10]]. The name also appears in priestly and Davidic lineages in the book of Chronicles ([[1 Chronicles 24:18]], [[1 Chronicles 3:24]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the actions surrounding individuals named Delaiah:
* `{{H6293}}` **pâgaʻ** (make intercession): This word describes the action of the prince Delaiah and his colleagues when they pleaded with the king. The definition includes "to cause to entreat" or "make intercession" [[Jeremiah 36:25]].
* `{{H8085}}` **shâmaʻ** (hear): This term is used to describe the king's negative response to Delaiah's plea, as the text states "he would not **hear** them." It means to hear intelligently, often implying obedience [[Jeremiah 36:25]].
* `{{H2026}}` **hârag** (slay): In the account of Nehemiah, the son of Delaiah warns that men will come to **slay** him. The word means to smite with deadly intent or kill [[Nehemiah 6:10]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1806}}` is primarily seen through the actions of the people who bear the name, which means "Jah has delivered."
* **Preserving God's Word:** The prince Delaiah demonstrates faithfulness by attempting to save the divine message from destruction. He and other princes **made intercession** `{{H6293}}` with the king, showing reverence for God's word even when facing royal opposition [[Jeremiah 36:25]].
* **Human Response to Crisis:** The name appears in contexts of great national and personal crisis. In Jeremiah, Delaiah's plea for the scroll is ignored, showing how human authority can reject divine deliverance [[Jeremiah 36:25]]. In Nehemiah, the son of a Delaiah gives a warning rooted in fear of being slain `{{H2026}}`, prompting a test of faith for the leader [[Nehemiah 6:10]].
* **Covenantal Continuity:** The inclusion of "the children of Delaiah" in the list of returning exiles [[Ezra 2:60]] and the name's appearance in priestly and royal genealogies ([[1 Chronicles 24:18]], [[1 Chronicles 3:24]]) underscores the theme of God's continued faithfulness and deliverance of His people through generations.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1806}}` is a name that embodies the hopeful message "Jah has delivered." While it identifies several different Israelites, they are often connected to significant events that test faith and loyalty to God. From a prince interceding for God's word to ancestors returning from exile, the name **Dᵉlâyâh** is a recurring reminder of the need for, and belief in, divine deliverance in the face of human opposition and peril.
TRV