Original Word: אֲזַנְיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Azanyah
Pronunciation: ah-zan-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (az-an-yaw')
KJV: Azaniah
NASB: Azaniah
Word Origin: [from H238 (אָזַן - give ear) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. heard by Jah
2. Azanjah, an Israelite

Azaniah

From 'azan and Yahh; heard by Jah; Azanjah, an Israelite -- Azaniah.

see HEBREW 'azan

see HEBREW Yahh

Word Origin
from azan and Yah
Definition
"Yah has heard," a Levite
NASB Translation
Azaniah (1).

אֲזַנְיָ֫הוּ proper name, masculine (Yahweh hath heared) father of Jeshua, a Levite Nehemiah 10:10.

Occurrence

• Nehemiah 10:9 – “The Levites: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel,”

Historical Setting

Azaniah is named during the covenant-renewal ceremony convened by Nehemiah around 445 BC. After the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt (Nehemiah 6) and the Law was publicly read (Nehemiah 8), the leaders, priests, and Levites formally affirmed their allegiance to the LORD (Nehemiah 9 – 10). Azaniah himself is not a signer; rather, his son Jeshua represents their household among the Levites. The mention of the father’s name ensured genealogical precision, a vital concern in the post-exilic community where purity of priestly and Levitical lines safeguarded worship integrity (Ezra 2:61-63).

Levitical Lineage and Function

By identifying Jeshua as “son of Azaniah,” Scripture situates this family within the Levitical order charged with teaching the Law (Deuteronomy 33:10) and leading corporate worship (1 Chronicles 15:16). Jeshua’s presence among the signatories indicates that Azaniah’s household produced faithful ministers who guided Israel’s spiritual restoration. Although the father’s personal deeds are unrecorded, the fruit of his upbringing is evident in a son entrusted with covenant leadership.

Role in Covenant Renewal

The covenant document (Nehemiah 10:28-39) bound the community to:

1. Separate from pagan marriages (verse 30)
2. Observe the Sabbath and Sabbatical Year (verse 31)
3. Support the temple through tithes and offerings (verses 32-39)

By extension, Azaniah’s family pledged to these reforms. Their signature on the oath modeled obedience for all Levites, reinforcing the principle that those who teach must first submit to the Word they proclaim (James 3:1).

Theological Themes

1. Generational Faithfulness – The appearance of a father’s name through his son mirrors the biblical emphasis on transmitting covenant loyalty “to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Exodus 20:6).
2. Hearing and Obedience – The probable meaning of the root behind Azaniah (connected to “ear” or “listen”) harmonizes with the Shema: “Hear, O Israel” (Deuteronomy 6:4). The family stands in Scripture as one that listened to and acted upon divine instruction.
3. Divine Record-Keeping – Lists such as Nehemiah 10 demonstrate that God honors individual servants, however obscure, by inscribing their names into sacred history (Malachi 3:16).

Ministry Lessons

• Faithful parenting shapes future spiritual leaders; Azaniah’s quiet influence surfaces in Jeshua’s public ministry.
• Leadership credibility arises from covenant commitment; those who sign their names must live their vows.
• Reformation begins with a return to Scripture; Levites like Jeshua, descended from men such as Azaniah, facilitated revival by explaining the Law (Nehemiah 8:7-8).

Related Biblical Parallels

• The listing of ancestral names in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 underscores the same concern for verified lineage.
• Eliashib the high priest (Nehemiah 3:1) likewise illustrates how family heritage impacts communal welfare, whether for good or ill (Nehemiah 13:4-9).
• Timothy’s sincere faith “which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5) echoes the generational fidelity exemplified by Azaniah’s house.

Summary

Azaniah’s sole biblical mention, though brief, situates him at a pivotal moment in Israel’s restoration. His legacy lives through a Levitical son who helped renew covenant fidelity, reminding believers that quiet, God-honoring lives can have enduring impact on the worship and faithfulness of God’s people.

אֲזַנְיָ֔ה אזניה ’ă·zan·yāh ’ăzanyāh azanYahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts