or מַעֲשֵׂיָהוּ; from מַעֲשֶׂה and יָהּ; work of Jah; Maasejah, the name of sixteen Israelites; Maaseiah.
Transliteration:Maʻăsêyâh
Pronunciation:mah-as-ay-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper name Maʻăsêyâh (מַעֲשֵׂיָה, `{{H4641}}`) is a compound name derived from two distinct elements: the noun מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻaśeh, `{{H4639}}`), meaning "work," "deed," or "act," and the shortened divine name יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`), an abbreviated form of Yahweh. Thus, the name literally translates to "Work of Yah" or "Deed of Yahweh." This etymology immediately establishes a theological dimension, as it attributes the individual's existence, character, or destiny to the active intervention and purpose of God. Unlike names that describe a person's nature or circumstances (e.g., "red," "hairy"), Maʻaśêyāh points to a divine initiative, suggesting that the person bearing the name is either a product of God's work or an instrument through whom God works. The semantic range therefore encompasses divine agency, purposeful existence, and potentially a prophetic declaration over the life of the individual.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Maʻaśêyāh is notably common in the Hebrew Bible, appearing for sixteen distinct individuals across various historical periods, from the Divided Monarchy to the post-exilic era. This prevalence suggests that the theological concept embedded in the name was significant and widely embraced among the Israelites.
1. **A Commander under Jehoiada:** Maʻaśêyāh, son of Adaiah, was one of the "captains of hundreds" who allied with Jehoiada the priest to overthrow the usurper Queen Athaliah and install Joash as king ([[2 Chronicles 23:1]]). Here, Maʻaśêyāh is an agent in God's work of restoring the legitimate Davidic line.
2. **An Officer of King Uzziah:** This Maʻaśêyāh was a scribe or officer responsible for mustering King Uzziah's army, indicating a role in military administration and organization ([[2 Chronicles 26:11]]). His service contributed to the strength and success of Uzziah's reign, which was largely blessed by God.
3. **A Prince of Judah:** During the reign of King Ahaz, a Maʻaśêyāh, identified as a "prince of Judah," was slain by Zichri the Ephraimite during a Syrian-Israelite invasion ([[2 Chronicles 28:7]]). This tragic occurrence highlights that even those bearing a name signifying God's work are not immune to suffering or judgment.
4. **A City Official under Josiah:** Maʻaśêyāh, the "governor of the city," was commanded by King Josiah to oversee repairs of the temple, working alongside Shaphan and Joah ([[2 Chronicles 34:8]]). His involvement in the temple restoration underscores his participation in God's work of national spiritual renewal.
5. **Priests and Levites in Ezra:** Several individuals named Maʻaśêyāh are listed among those who had taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period and were compelled to put them away. These include a priest from the sons of Jeshua ([[Ezra 10:18]]), another priest from the sons of Harim ([[Ezra 10:21]]), and a Levite from the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel ([[Ezra 10:23]]). Their participation in this act of repentance was crucial for the spiritual purity of the returned community, reflecting God's work of purification.
6. **Various Post-Exilic Figures:**
* A descendant of Judah, from the sons of Perez ([[Nehemiah 11:5]]).
* A Benjaminite, son of Baruch ([[Nehemiah 11:7]]).
* A priest who helped dedicate the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem, participating in the joyous procession ([[Nehemiah 12:42]]).
* Father of Baruch, who served as a scribe for Jeremiah ([[Jeremiah 32:12]], [[Jeremiah 35:4]]). This Maʻaśêyāh's son was instrumental in preserving Jeremiah's prophecy.
* Father of Zephaniah, a priest sent by King Zedekiah to inquire of Jeremiah ([[Jeremiah 21:1]], [[Jeremiah 29:25]]).
* A doorkeeper in the house of the Rechabites ([[Jeremiah 35:4]]).
Across these diverse roles—military leader, scribe, prince, city governor, priest, Levite, father—the consistent thread is that these individuals, regardless of their specific station, were involved in significant events or ministries that contributed to the ongoing narrative of God's interaction with His people. Their lives, in some way, became expressions of the "Work of Yah."
### Related Words & Concepts
The name Maʻaśêyāh is intrinsically linked to its constituent parts:
* **מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻaśeh, `{{H4639}}`)**: This noun signifies "work," "deed," "act," or "product." It is a broad term encompassing human labor, divine acts, and the results of actions. In the context of Maʻaśêyāh, it emphasizes the active nature of God, whose "work" is not merely conceptual but manifest in tangible deeds and individuals.
* **יָהּ (Yah, `{{H3050}}`)**: This is the shortened, poetic form of the divine name Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Its inclusion in the name underscores the divine origin and focus of the "work." It distinguishes the "work" as belonging to the sovereign Lord, not merely human effort.
Beyond its etymological roots, Maʻaśêyāh connects to broader biblical concepts:
* **Theonymic Names:** Hebrew names frequently incorporated elements of God's name (e.g., El, Yah/Yahu). Such names often served as mini-confessions of faith or declarations about God's character and activity. Maʻaśêyāh exemplifies this, declaring God as an active worker.
* **Divine Providence and Sovereignty:** The name implicitly affirms God's overarching plan and His active involvement in history and individual lives. It suggests that even seemingly ordinary lives can be part of God's extraordinary work.
* **Human Agency in Divine Purpose:** While the name emphasizes God's work, the individuals bearing it still performed actions. This highlights the biblical tension and harmony between divine sovereignty and human responsibility—God works *through* His people.
* **Names as Prophecy or Identity Markers:** In the ancient Near East, names were not merely labels but often conveyed meaning, hope, or even a prophetic destiny. For a child to be named "Work of Yah" might have been a parental prayer or a recognition of God's hand in their birth or future.
### Theological Significance
The name Maʻaśêyāh carries profound theological weight, particularly in its consistent declaration of divine agency:
1. **God as the Ultimate Worker:** The primary theological significance is the affirmation that God is not passive but actively engaged in His creation and with His people. He is the one who initiates, sustains, and completes His "work." This "work" encompasses creation, redemption, judgment, and the ongoing governance of the world.
2. **Purposeful Existence:** For those named Maʻaśêyāh, their very identity was a testimony to God's purpose. It implies that their lives were not accidental but divinely ordained to contribute to God's larger redemptive plan. This can serve as a powerful reminder of God's intentionality in forming and using individuals.
3. **Divine Sovereignty in Human Affairs:** The repeated appearance of this name across different eras and roles (from military leaders to temple servants) underscores God's sovereignty over all aspects of life. Whether in times of national triumph or crisis, the "Work of Yah" continues, often through the seemingly ordinary actions of His chosen instruments.
4. **Comfort and Assurance:** In difficult times, such as the period of Babylonian exile or the challenges of rebuilding Jerusalem, the name Maʻaśêyāh would have served as a theological anchor. It reminded the community that despite appearances, God was still at work, accomplishing His purposes through His people.
5. **A Call to Service:** While the name primarily speaks of God's action, it implicitly calls those who bear it, and indeed all believers, to recognize themselves as potential instruments of God's work. It shifts the focus from human achievement to humble participation in the divine will.
### Summary
Maʻaśêyāh (`{{H4641}}`), meaning "Work of Yah," is a significant Hebrew proper name that profoundly articulates the active and purposeful nature of God. Appearing for sixteen different individuals throughout biblical history, from periods of national revival to post-exilic restoration, the name consistently points to divine agency. Whether as a military commander, a temple official, or a father whose son served a prophet, each Maʻaśêyāh, by virtue of their name, became a living testament to God's ongoing "work" in the world. The name underscores God's ultimate sovereignty, His intentionality in human lives, and His use of diverse individuals as instruments for His redemptive purposes. It serves as a powerful theological declaration that all true and lasting accomplishments ultimately stem from the "Deed of Yahweh."
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