from חָזָה and יָהּ; Jah has seen; Chazajah, an Israelite; Hazaiah.
Transliteration:Chăzâyâh
Pronunciation:khaz-aw-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun Chăzâyâh (חֲזָיָה, `{{H2382}}`) is a theophoric name, meaning it incorporates an element of the divine name. It is derived from two components: the verb חָזָה (chazah, `{{H2372}}`), meaning "to see, behold, perceive, have a vision," and יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`), a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. Thus, the name Chăzâyâh literally translates to "Yah has seen" or "Yahweh has seen." As a proper noun, its semantic range is fixed by its etymological components, pointing directly to the attribute of divine sight and knowledge. It is not a common noun or verb with a wide array of contextual applications, but rather a personal appellation bearing a profound theological statement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Chăzâyâh (Hazaiah in some translations) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within a genealogical list in the book of Nehemiah:
* [[Nehemiah 11:5]]: "and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite."
In this sole occurrence, Chăzâyâh is identified as an ancestor of Maaseiah, a descendant of Judah who settled in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. This chapter lists the heads of families and prominent men who resided in Jerusalem, highlighting the re-establishment of the community in the holy city. Chăzâyâh's inclusion in this lineage, though brief, signifies his place within the historical continuity of God's people. While no specific actions or events are attributed to Chăzâyâh himself, his name, "Yah has seen," serves as a silent testament to God's enduring watchfulness over the generations of Israel, even amidst periods of exile and restoration. The context is purely genealogical, embedding the name within the fabric of Israelite history and the divine covenant.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary components of Chăzâyâh offer significant connections to broader biblical themes:
* **חָזָה (chazah, `{{H2372}}`):** This root is fundamental to the concept of divine revelation and prophetic insight. It is frequently used to describe the act of "seeing" a vision from God ([[Isaiah 1:1]], [[Ezekiel 13:3]]), or God "seeing" His people and their condition ([[Genesis 16:13]], where Hagar names God "El Roi," "God who sees me"). The active participation of God in "seeing" is a core theological concept.
* **יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`):** This is the shortened, poetic form of the Tetragrammaton, YHWH (Yahweh), the personal name of God. Its inclusion in names like Isaiah ("Yahweh is salvation") or Jeremiah ("Yahweh exalts") underscores the direct involvement of God in the lives and destinies of individuals.
* **Names as Theological Statements:** In ancient Israel, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting hopes, circumstances of birth, or theological affirmations. Names like Chăzâyâh serve as miniature confessions of faith, proclaiming an attribute or action of God.
* **Divine Omniscience and Providence:** The concept that "Yah has seen" points directly to God's attribute of omniscience – His complete knowledge of all things – and His active providence, His watchful care over His creation and especially His covenant people.
### Theological Significance
The name Chăzâyâh, "Yah has seen," carries profound theological weight despite its singular biblical appearance. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's attributes:
1. **Divine Omniscience:** The name affirms God's all-seeing nature. Nothing is hidden from Him; He perceives all events, circumstances, and the very hearts of individuals. Even in the long sweep of history, God knows and remembers each person, including those whose lives are only briefly noted in a genealogy.
2. **Personal Knowledge and Care:** "Yah has seen" implies not merely observation but an active, personal knowledge and care. It suggests that God's sight is not detached but involves His intimate awareness of His people's journey, their struggles, and their faithfulness. For an individual in ancient Israel, bearing such a name could be a constant reminder of God's watchful eye and His enduring covenant faithfulness.
3. **God's Sovereignty in History:** The name, appearing in a post-exilic genealogy, subtly underscores God's sovereignty over historical events. Even when His people experienced exile and dispersion, God "saw" them, preserving a remnant and orchestrating their return and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Hazaiah's descendant, Maaseiah, settling in Jerusalem, is a tangible outcome of God's enduring sight and plan.
4. **Comfort and Assurance:** For the believer, the meaning of Chăzâyâh offers comfort. God sees our lives, our hidden struggles, our quiet acts of devotion. He is not distant or unaware, but intimately involved in the details of our existence, just as He "saw" Hazaiah and his lineage.
### Summary
Chăzâyâh (חֲזָיָה, `{{H2382}}`), a Hebrew proper noun meaning "Yah has seen," is a theophoric name that appears once in [[Nehemiah 11:5]] as an ancestor in the lineage of Judah. Derived from חָזָה (chazah, `{{H2372}}`, "to see") and יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`, "Yahweh"), the name itself serves as a profound theological statement. Though its bearer is only known through a genealogical list, the name powerfully attests to God's attributes of omniscience, His personal knowledge and care for individuals, and His sovereign oversight of history. Chăzâyâh encapsulates the comforting truth that God sees and knows His people, affirming His constant presence and providential involvement across generations, even in seemingly obscure details of biblical record.
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