from עַז and מָוֶת; strong one of death; Azmaveth, the name of three Israelites and of a place in Palestine; Azmaveth. See also בֵּית עַזְמָוֶת.
Transliteration:ʻAzmâveth
Pronunciation:az-maw'-veth
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma עַזְמָוֶת (ʻAzmâveth, `{{H5820}}`) is a compound proper noun, derived from two distinct Hebrew roots: עַז (ʻaz, `{{H5794}}`), meaning "strong," "mighty," or "fierce," and מָוֶת (mâveth, `{{H4194}}`), meaning "death" or "deadly." Thus, the name literally translates to "strong one of death" or "might of death." As a proper noun, its semantic range is primarily limited to identifying specific individuals and a geographical location within ancient Israel. While the etymology offers a profound insight into the conceptual underpinnings of the name, its usage in the biblical text functions as a designator rather than a descriptor of an abstract concept.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name ʻAzmâveth (`{{H5820}}`) appears in several contexts within the Old Testament, designating both individuals and a place:
1. **David's Mighty Men:** An Azmaveth the Barhumite is listed among David's elite warriors, known as the "thirty mighty men" ([[2 Samuel 23:31]] and [[1 Chronicles 11:33]]). His inclusion in this esteemed company suggests a man of considerable strength and valor, perhaps embodying the "strong one" aspect of his name in a martial sense.
2. **Benjamite Lineage:** Another Azmaveth is identified as a descendant of Jonathan, the son of King Saul, through a genealogical line in the tribe of Benjamin ([[1 Chronicles 8:36]] and [[1 Chronicles 9:42]]). This occurrence highlights the perpetuation of the name within a prominent tribal lineage.
3. **David's Companions/Overseer:** An Azmaveth, the father of Jeziel and Pelet, is mentioned among those who joined David at Ziklag during his time as a fugitive ([[1 Chronicles 12:3]]). Furthermore, an Azmaveth, the son of Adiel, is recorded as an overseer of David's royal treasuries, specifically those in the fields, cities, villages, and fortresses ([[1 Chronicles 27:25]]). It is plausible, though not certain, that the Azmaveth from [[1 Chronicles 12:3]] and [[1 Chronicles 27:25]] refers to the same individual, perhaps the mighty man, indicating a transition from military service to administrative duties.
4. **A Place in Benjamin:** ʻAzmâveth also designates a town in the territory of Benjamin. It is listed among the settlements whose inhabitants returned from the Babylonian exile ([[Ezra 2:24]] and [[Nehemiah 7:28]]). This place is also referred to as "Beth Azmaveth" (`{{H1037}}`), meaning "house of Azmaveth," as seen in [[Nehemiah 7:28]] and [[Ezra 2:24]]. Its mention in post-exilic records underscores its continued existence and significance in the reconstituted Israelite community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological breakdown of ʻAzmâveth (`{{H5820}}`) reveals its direct relationship to its constituent parts:
* עַז (ʻaz, `{{H5794}}`): This root denotes strength, might, and fierce power. It is used to describe God's strength, the strength of warriors, or even the power of nations.
* מָוֶת (mâveth, `{{H4194}}`): This noun signifies "death" in its various manifestations – physical death, the state of being dead, or a deadly condition. It often represents the ultimate end of life and is frequently personified as a powerful adversary in biblical poetry.
Conceptually, the name ʻAzmâveth stands in relation to other biblical names that incorporate elements of strength or death, though none combine them in precisely this manner. The related place name בֵּית עַזְמָוֶת (Beth Azmaveth, `{{H1037}}`) explicitly links the individual name to a physical location, suggesting either that the town was founded by or named after an individual named Azmaveth, or that it was a place characterized by some aspect of "strength of death," perhaps a formidable stronghold or a site of significant mortality.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun, ʻAzmâveth (`{{H5820}}`) does not directly convey a specific theological doctrine. However, its etymological meaning, "strong one of death," offers an intriguing window into ancient Israelite worldview and naming conventions.
The concept of "death" (מָוֶת, `{{H4194}}`) in the Old Testament is often portrayed as a powerful, inescapable force, a domain from which only God can deliver ([[Psalm 68:20]], [[Psalm 116:3]]). To name someone "strong one of death" could imply several things:
* **Acknowledgment of Mortality:** It might serve as a stark reminder of human mortality and the pervasive power of death over all flesh.
* **A Warrior's Prowess:** In the context of David's mighty men, it could signify a warrior whose strength is so formidable that he brings death to his enemies, or who faces death with unwavering courage. His strength is effective *unto* death for his foes.
* **A Place of Resilience or Peril:** For the place name, it might indicate a location that was particularly difficult to conquer, possessing a "strength" that resisted invaders, perhaps even to the point of causing their demise. Alternatively, it could have been a place associated with significant loss of life or a somber history.
* **Contrast with Divine Life:** The name stands in implicit contrast to the numerous biblical names that invoke YHWH's life-giving power, salvation, and deliverance from death. While God is the ultimate vanquisher of death, a name like ʻAzmâveth underscores the human experience of death's formidable presence prior to the full revelation of God's victory over it in Christ ([[1 Corinthians 15:26]], [[Hebrews 2:14-15]]).
### Summary
ʻAzmâveth (`{{H5820}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, etymologically derived from עַז (strength) and מָוֶת (death), yielding the meaning "strong one of death." This name designates several individuals in the Old Testament, including one of David's mighty men, a Benjamite descendant of Saul, and an overseer in David's administration. It also identifies a town in the territory of Benjamin, which is additionally known as Beth Azmaveth (`{{H1037}}`). While primarily functioning as a proper identifier, the profound etymology of ʻAzmâveth reflects a cultural awareness of death as a formidable power in the ancient world, and perhaps also celebrates the formidable strength of those who bore the name or resided in the place. Its usage provides a glimpse into the diverse naming conventions and the pervasive reality of mortality within the biblical narrative.
TRV