### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun יְזַנְיָה (Yᵉzanyâh), also appearing as יְזַנְיָהוּ (Yᵉzanyâhû), is a theophoric name, meaning "Yahweh hears" or "Yahweh listens." It is likely a contracted form of יַאֲזַנְיָה (Ya'ăzanyâh), derived from the verbal root אָזַן (ʾāzan) `{{H238}}`, meaning "to hear," "to give ear," or "to listen." The suffix "-yah" or "-yahu" is a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. Thus, the name inherently speaks to the character of God as one who is attentive and responsive, particularly to the cries and concerns of His people. As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to identifying individuals, but the etymological meaning imbues these individuals with a name that serves as a theological statement about the divine.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Yᵉzanyâh (or Yᵉzanyâhû) appears in the Book of Jeremiah, identifying two distinct individuals during a critical period of Judah's history, immediately preceding and following the Babylonian exile.
1. **Jezaniah, son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah (Jeremiah 35:3):** This individual is a leader among the Rechabites, a nomadic group known for their strict adherence to the commands of their ancestor Jonadab, particularly regarding abstinence from wine, dwelling in tents, and avoiding agriculture. In [[Jeremiah 35:3]], Jezaniah and his family are brought into the temple by Jeremiah as a demonstration of faithfulness, contrasting sharply with the disobedience of Judah. Their steadfast obedience to their human ancestor's commands highlights the greater sin of Judah's failure to obey the commands of Yahweh. The name "Yahweh hears" in this context underscores God's attentiveness to their faithfulness and His use of their example to convey a message to His disobedient people.
2. **Jezaniah, son of Hoshaiah (Jeremiah 40:8, 42:1):** This Jezaniah is one of the military leaders who remained in Judah after the initial Babylonian deportation. He is mentioned among those who came to Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, at Mizpah ([[Jeremiah 40:8]]). Later, after Gedaliah's assassination, Jezaniah (also called Azariah in [[Jeremiah 43:2]] by some manuscripts, but still linked to `{{H3153}}` in others) and other leaders approach the prophet Jeremiah, seeking divine guidance on whether to remain in Judah or flee to Egypt ([[Jeremiah 42:1-3]]). Despite Jeremiah's clear word from Yahweh to stay in the land, Jezaniah and the other leaders ultimately reject the divine counsel and lead the remnant to Egypt ([[Jeremiah 43:1-7]]). Here, the name "Yahweh hears" takes on a poignant irony; Yahweh *did* hear their request for guidance and provided a clear answer, but they failed to *hear* and obey His voice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for H3153 is to the Hebrew verbal root אָזַן (ʾāzan) `{{H238}}`, meaning "to hear," "to give ear," or "to listen." This root is foundational to many concepts in biblical theology, including:
* **Divine Attentiveness:** God's capacity and willingness to hear the prayers, cries, and supplications of His people ([[Psalm 34:17]], [[Psalm 116:1-2]]).
* **Human Obedience:** The imperative for humanity to "hear" and "listen" to God's commandments and instruction ([[Deuteronomy 6:3-4]], [[Isaiah 1:19]]).
* **Covenant Relationship:** The dynamic of God speaking and humanity responding, forming the basis of the covenant.
Other Hebrew names that convey a similar theological concept of God's hearing include Ishmael (יִשְׁמָעֵאל, Yishma'el, "God hears") and Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל, Shmu'el, "heard of God" or "name of God"). The concept of "hearing" in the Old Testament often implies not just auditory perception but also understanding, heeding, and obeying.
### Theological Significance
The name Yᵉzanyâh, meaning "Yahweh hears," carries profound theological weight. It serves as a constant reminder of God's immanence and active engagement with His creation. Yahweh is not a distant, unconcerned deity but one who is intimately aware of the affairs of humanity, particularly His covenant people.
In the biblical narratives, the name's meaning is illuminated through the contrasting actions of the two individuals who bear it:
1. **God's Hearing and Human Faithfulness:** The Rechabite Jezaniah exemplifies the blessed outcome when human beings *hear* and faithfully obey, resulting in God's favorable attention and commendation. His life demonstrates that Yahweh hears and honors those who live in accordance with His will, even through strict adherence to human commands given in a spirit of reverence for God.
2. **God's Hearing and Human Disobedience:** The Jezaniah who consults Jeremiah highlights the tragic reality that while God *hears* and responds to human inquiry, human beings often fail to *hear* and obey God's clear instruction. This narrative underscores the critical distinction between merely hearing a message and truly listening and acting upon it. God's attentiveness does not negate human responsibility for obedience.
Ultimately, the name Yᵉzanyâh points to the fundamental truth that God is a God who hears, who is attentive to the prayers, cries, and even the questions of His people. It challenges believers to consider not only that God hears them, but also how they, in turn, hear and respond to His voice.
### Summary
Yᵉzanyâh (`{{H3153}}`) is a Hebrew proper name meaning "Yahweh hears" or "Yahweh listens," derived from the root אָזַן (ʾāzan) `{{H238}}`. It identifies two distinct individuals in the Book of Jeremiah during the tumultuous period of Judah's judgment and exile. Jezaniah the Rechabite exemplifies faithfulness, demonstrating that Yahweh hears and honors those who obey. In contrast, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, despite seeking divine counsel, ultimately disobeys God's clear word, illustrating the crucial difference between merely hearing God's voice and truly heeding it. The name's theological significance lies in its powerful affirmation of God's attentive and responsive nature, while simultaneously challenging humanity to reciprocate with genuine listening and obedient action.
TRV