(Aramaic) corresponding to עֲזַרְיָה; Azarjah, one of Daniel's companions; Azariah.
Transliteration:ʻĂzaryâh
Pronunciation:az-ar-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic proper noun `{{H5839}}` (ʻĂzaryâh) serves as the Aramaic equivalent of the more common Hebrew `{{H5838}}` (ʻAzaryâh). Both forms derive their meaning from a combination of two elements: עָזַר (ʿāzar), meaning "to help" or "to assist," and יָה (Yah), a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. Thus, the name ʻĂzaryâh profoundly signifies "Yahweh has helped" or "Yahweh is my help." It is exclusively used as a personal name, reflecting a theological confession or a statement of divine providence concerning the individual's birth or life circumstances. Its semantic range is therefore tightly bound to the concept of divine aid and intervention.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic form `{{H5839}}` appears exclusively in the Book of Daniel, referring to one of the four prominent Judean youths taken captive to Babylon. Alongside Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), and Mishael (Meshach), Azariah (Abednego) is introduced in [[Daniel 1:6-7]]. The Babylonian chief eunuch renames him Abednego, meaning "servant of Nego" or "servant of Nebo," a Babylonian deity. Despite this imposed pagan name, the original Hebrew/Aramaic name ʻĂzaryâh continued to carry its powerful theological meaning.
Occurrences of `{{H5839}}` are found throughout the early chapters of Daniel, specifically in [[Daniel 1:6]], [[Daniel 1:7]], [[Daniel 1:11]], [[Daniel 1:19]], [[Daniel 2:17]], [[Daniel 3:12]], [[Daniel 3:19]], [[Daniel 3:23]], [[Daniel 3:26]], and [[Daniel 3:28]]. The most poignant context for this name is the account of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3. Azariah, along with Hananiah and Mishael, refuses to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, demonstrating unwavering faithfulness to Yahweh ([[Daniel 3:12]]). Their subsequent miraculous deliverance from the intensely hot furnace ([[Daniel 3:23-27]]) powerfully vindicates the meaning of Azariah's name: "Yahweh has helped." The narrative explicitly states that God sent His angel to rescue them ([[Daniel 3:28]]), confirming that their God was indeed their helper in the direst of circumstances.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relative to `{{H5839}}` is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H5838}}` (Azariah), which is a very common name in the Old Testament, borne by numerous individuals, including kings, priests, and prophets. Both words share the same core meaning rooted in the Hebrew verb `{{H5826}}` (ʿāzar), "to help, support, succor." This root is foundational to understanding divine assistance throughout Scripture.
The second crucial element is `{{H3050}}` (Yah) or `{{H3068}}` (Yahweh), the personal name of Israel's God. The inclusion of the divine name within ʻĂzaryâh underscores that the help provided is not human, but specifically divine. This connects ʻĂzaryâh to other theophoric names that affirm God's character or actions, such as `{{H3091}}` (Jehoshaphat, "Yahweh judges") or `{{H4725}}` (Micaiah, "Who is like Yahweh?").
Conceptually, ʻĂzaryâh is related to themes of divine providence, deliverance, faithfulness under persecution, and the efficacy of prayer. The story of Azariah and his companions illustrates the biblical principle that God is a present help in trouble ([[Psalm 46:1]]) and that those who trust in Him will not be put to shame ([[Romans 9:33]]).
### Theological Significance
The name ʻĂzaryâh carries profound theological weight, especially as embodied by Daniel's companion. It serves as a constant reminder of God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful servants. In a foreign land, under immense pressure to assimilate and compromise their faith, Azariah and his friends stood firm. Their steadfastness was met not with abandonment, but with miraculous divine intervention. The name "Yahweh is my help" was not merely an inherited appellation but a lived reality, powerfully demonstrated in the fiery furnace.
This narrative underscores several key theological truths:
1. **God's Sovereignty and Omnipotence:** Even in the heart of the most powerful empire of their time, God proved Himself to be the supreme Helper, capable of overturning natural laws to deliver His people.
2. **Faithfulness and Divine Deliverance:** The story illustrates the covenant faithfulness of God to those who remain faithful to Him, even unto death. Their refusal to compromise their worship brought about an unparalleled display of God's protective power.
3. **Testimony to the Nations:** King Nebuchadnezzar's subsequent decree acknowledging the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ([[Daniel 3:28-29]]) highlights how God uses the experiences of His people to reveal Himself to the world, confirming that Yahweh truly helps His own.
4. **Hope in Persecution:** For believers throughout history facing persecution, the account of Azariah serves as a powerful testament to God's enduring help and a source of hope that God will sustain and deliver His people.
### Summary
The Aramaic word `{{H5839}}` (ʻĂzaryâh) is a proper noun meaning "Yahweh has helped" or "Yahweh is my help." It is the name of one of Daniel's three companions in the Book of Daniel, known in Babylon as Abednego. The significance of this name is most vividly portrayed in the account of the fiery furnace, where Azariah, along with Hananiah and Mishael, experienced God's miraculous deliverance after refusing to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's idol. Their steadfast faith was met with divine intervention, powerfully demonstrating that the God of Israel is indeed the Helper of His people in times of extreme adversity. Thus, ʻĂzaryâh stands as a profound theological statement, affirming God's active and saving presence for those who remain faithful to Him.
TRV