from יָרֵא and יָהּ; fearful of Jah; Jirijah, an Israelite; Irijah.
Transliteration:Yirʼîyâyh
Pronunciation:yir-ee-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun יִרְאִיָּיה (Yirʼîyâyh, `{{H3376}}`) is a compound name derived from two significant elements: the verb יָרֵא (yare', `{{H3372}}`), meaning "to fear," "to revere," or "to be in awe," and יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`), a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. The combined meaning is typically rendered as "fearful of Jah" or "Yah fears." In the context of personal names, the former interpretation, signifying a reverential awe towards God, is most common and reflects a profound theological statement about the individual or their parents' aspirations for them. It speaks to a life lived in conscious deference to the divine will and majesty, embodying the concept of the "fear of the Lord" which is foundational to biblical wisdom.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name יִרְאִיָּיה (Yirʼîyâyh, `{{H3376}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible exclusively in the book of Jeremiah, specifically in reference to a single individual: Irijah, the captain of the guard. His appearances are found in [[Jeremiah 37:13]] and [[Jeremiah 37:14]]. In this narrative, Irijah is the one who apprehends the prophet Jeremiah as he attempts to leave Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege. Irijah falsely accuses Jeremiah of deserting to the Chaldeans, stating, "You are deserting to the Chaldeans!" ([[Jeremiah 37:13]]). This accusation leads to Jeremiah's arrest, beating, and imprisonment in the house of Jonathan the scribe, which had been converted into a dungeon. The context reveals Irijah as an antagonist to Jeremiah, acting on behalf of the Judean officials who opposed the prophet's message. The irony of his name, "fearful of Jah," is striking given his actions of obstructing God's prophet and participating in his unjust suffering, suggesting a profound disconnect between the name's theological meaning and the character's behavior.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root word related to יִרְאִיָּיה (Yirʼîyâyh, `{{H3376}}`) is יָרֵא (yare', `{{H3372}}`), which is central to understanding the concept of "fear" in the Old Testament. This "fear" is not merely terror, but often a profound reverence, awe, and submission to God, leading to obedience and wisdom. This is exemplified in phrases like "the fear of the Lord" (יִרְאַת יְהוָה, yir'at Yahweh), which is declared to be the beginning of knowledge ([[Proverbs 1:7]]) and the beginning of wisdom ([[Proverbs 9:10]]; [[Psalm 111:10]]).
The divine element יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`) is a shortened form of the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, highlighting the direct connection of the name to the covenant God of Israel. Other names incorporating this element, such as Isaiah (Yesha'yahu, "Yahweh is salvation") or Jeremiah (Yirmeyahu, "Yahweh will uplift"), similarly reflect theological declarations. The concept of "fear of the Lord" also relates to words signifying obedience, righteousness, and faithfulness, as true reverence for God naturally leads to a life aligned with His commands.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of the name יִרְאִיָּיה (Yirʼîyâyh, `{{H3376}}`) lies primarily in its etymological meaning: "fearful of Jah." This name serves as a powerful reminder of one of the most fundamental principles of biblical piety: the "fear of the Lord." This fear is not a cowering dread but a reverent awe that acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty, holiness, and power, leading to a humble and obedient walk before Him. It is the foundation of true wisdom and the wellspring of life ([[Proverbs 14:27]]).
The fact that a person named Irijah, meaning "fearful of Jah," would be the one to falsely accuse and imprison Jeremiah, God's prophet, presents a profound theological irony. This highlights the potential for outward religious naming to mask an inward spiritual rebellion or lack of genuine reverence. It serves as a somber illustration that bearing a name with deep theological meaning does not automatically confer spiritual integrity or ensure righteous action. Rather, it underscores the constant need for individuals to truly embody the principles their names might represent, living out a genuine "fear of the Lord" in their actions and attitudes.
### Summary
The Hebrew name יִרְאִיָּיה (Yirʼîyâyh, `{{H3376}}`), transliterated as Irijah, carries the profound theological meaning of "fearful of Jah" or "Yah fears," derived from the root יָרֵא (yare', `{{H3372}}`) and the divine name יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`). This etymology connects the name directly to the foundational biblical concept of the "fear of the Lord," which signifies reverent awe, obedience, and wisdom. The sole biblical appearance of Irijah occurs in [[Jeremiah 37:13-14]], where he is depicted as a captain of the guard who unjustly arrests the prophet Jeremiah. This narrative presents a striking irony, as a man bearing a name signifying piety acts in opposition to God's prophet, underscoring that a name's theological meaning does not guarantee the bearer's spiritual character. Nevertheless, the name itself remains a potent reminder of the paramount importance of cultivating a genuine, reverential fear of the Almighty.
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