Original Word: עָזָז
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Azaz
Pronunciation: ah-ZAZ
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-zawz')
KJV: Azaz
NASB: Azaz
Word Origin: [from H5810 (עָזַז - prevail)]

1. strong
2. Azaz, an Israelite

Azaz

From azaz; strong; Azaz, an Israelite -- Azaz.

see HEBREW azaz

Word Origin
from azaz
Definition
"strong," a Reubenite
NASB Translation
Azaz (1).

עָזָז proper name, masculine Reubenite name 1 Chronicles 5:8, Οζουζ, ᵐ5^L Ιωαζαζ. (Ginsb^margin עָזֵז, עָזָן, עַזָּן, compare Baer¹⁰⁰).

Biblical Occurrence

Azaz is mentioned once in Scripture, in a Reubenite genealogy (1 Chronicles 5:8). He is the father of Bela, a leader whose clan settled the eastern borderlands of Israel from Aroer toward Nebo and Baal-meon.

Historical Setting

The Chronicler recounts the pre-exilic history of the tribes east of the Jordan. Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had obtained this territory during the conquest (Numbers 32:33). Generations later, the tribe faced Assyrian pressure and eventual deportation (1 Chronicles 5:6, 26). By inserting Azaz into the lineage, the writer secures a clear chain of descent from the original settlement to the time of national upheaval.

Genealogical Importance

1 Chronicles 5:8 sits between a list of ancestral rulers (verses 6–7) and a military narrative (verses 9–22). The placement shows that heritage and land rights are inseparable: the clan of Bela son of Azaz possessed lawful title to the region where they later fought the Hagrites. This reinforces legal continuity amid political instability and testifies that, despite exile, Israel’s tribal structure remained traceable.

Thematic Emphasis on Strength

The name itself conveys the idea of strength. Immediately after Azaz is named, the Chronicler records that Bela’s descendants expanded “to the entrance of the wilderness from the Euphrates River, for their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead” (1 Chronicles 5:9). The clan’s growth and military success (verses 18–20) illustrate that true strength flows from covenant faithfulness: “They cried out to God in battle, and He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him” (verse 20).

Theological Significance

1. God’s Omniscient Care: Even an obscure patriarch appears in the inspired record, reminding believers that every saint, however hidden, is known to God (cf. Luke 12:7).
2. Covenant Continuity: The genealogy supports the Chronicler’s wider purpose of proving Israel’s unbroken relationship with the LORD after exile.
3. Divine Strength Perfected in Weakness: By embedding a name that signifies might within a account that attributes victory to divine aid, the text subtly declares that real power resides in reliance upon the LORD (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Ministry Applications

• Value of Heritage: Churches and families can trace and honor their spiritual lineage, understanding that faithfulness in one generation strengthens the next.
• Recording God’s Works: Just as the Chronicler preserved Azaz’s line, believers today should chronicle testimonies of God’s faithfulness for future generations (Psalm 78:4).
• Encouragement for the Unheralded: Those who serve in unnoticed roles can take heart that their names and labors are inscribed in God’s eternal record (Hebrews 6:10).

Summary

Though Azaz stands in Scripture as a single, passing reference, his inclusion anchors the historical reliability of 1 Chronicles, illustrates the theme of God-given strength, and offers enduring lessons on covenant identity, divine remembrance, and generational faithfulness.

עָזָ֔ז עזז ‘ā·zāz ‘āzāz aZazInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts