jaazaniah Summary and Overview

JAAZANI'AH (whom Jehovah hears). 1. A captain who joined Gedaliah at Mizpah, 2 Kgs 25:23, and who subsequently fought against Ishmael, and then later went to Egypt. Comp. Jer 41:11; Jer 43:2. 2. The probable chief of the family of the Rechabites at the time of Jeremiah. Jer 35:3. 3. One of the seventy elders seen by Ezekiel in his vision. Eze 8:11. 4. A prince against whom Ezekiel was directed to prophesy. Eze 11:1.

"Son of the Maacathite," a "captain of the forces" who accompanied Johanan in waiting on Gedaliah, the governor over the Jewish remnant after the capture of Jerusalem, and afterward in rescuing them from Ishmael, and in going to Egypt in spite of the Lord’s prohibition (2 Kings 25:23; Jeremiah 41:11; 43:4,5). 2. Son of Shaphan. Stood as leader in the midst of the 70 ancients (elders) of Israel with censers in their hands, worshipping idols portrayed upon the wall of the court of Jehovah’s house; seen by Ezekiel (8:11). Shaphan was the scribe who read to Josiah the law. The son’s spiritual privileges increased his guilt (2 Kings 22:10-14). His very name, meaning" Jehovah hears," gave the lie to the unbelief which virtually said "Jehovah seeth not" (Ezekiel 9:9; Psalm 10:11,14; 50:21; 94:7,9). The elders incurred further guilt in usurping the priests’ office by offering incense. 3. Son of Azur, leader of the 25 priests ( Ezekiel 11:1). Azur means help, their names reminding them, if they would have heeded it, that God would have "heard" if they had sought His "help" to save the city. 4.Jeremiah 35:3.