Original Word: נֵרִיָּה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Neriyah
Pronunciation: neh-ree-YAH or neh-ree-YAH-hoo
Phonetic Spelling: (nay-ree-yaw')
KJV: Neriah
NASB: Neriah, Neraiah
Word Origin: [from H5216 (נִיר נִר נֵיר נֵר נֵרָה - lamps) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. light of Jah
2. Nerijah, an Israelite

Neriah

Or Neriyahuw {nay-ree-yaw'-hoo}; from niyr and Yahh; light of Jah; Nerijah, an Israelite -- Neriah.

see HEBREW niyr

see HEBREW Yahh

Word Origin
from ner and Yah
Definition
"lamp of Yah," father of Baruch
NASB Translation
Neraiah (1), Neriah (9).

נֵרִיָּהוּ, נֵרִיָּה proper name, masculine father of Baruch: נֵרִיָּהוּ Jeremiah 36:14,32; Jeremiah 43:6; Jeremiah 45:1, = father of Seraiah Jeremiah 51:59; נֵרִיָּה Jeremiah 32:12,16; Jeremiah 36:4,8; Jeremiah 43:3; ᵐ5 Νηριου; compare Gray^{Prop N.204}.

Name Significance

“Neriah” combines the Hebrew words for “lamp” and the covenant name of God, so the name itself bears witness that “Yahweh is my lamp.” The imagery anticipates the way his family would help preserve and transmit the prophetic light given through Jeremiah.

Historical Setting

Neriah lived in the closing decades of the kingdom of Judah. His lifetime spans the reigns of Josiah’s sons Jehoiakim (609-598 BC) and Zedekiah (597-586 BC), the Babylonian siege, and the subsequent exile. Every biblical mention of him (Jeremiah 32–45; 51) is embedded in narratives that expose the spiritual decline of Judah but also highlight God’s unwavering commitment to His word.

Family and Lineage

• Father: Mahseiah (Jeremiah 32:12).
• Sons: Baruch and Seraiah (Jeremiah 32:12; 51:59).

The repeated identification “son of Neriah” underscores a respected lineage. The family appears to belong to the upper administrative class; Baruch and Seraiah both operate in royal or prophetic circles, suggesting formal education and scribal training.

Role in Jeremiah’s Ministry

Although Neriah never speaks in the text, his influence is evident through his sons:

1. Preservation of Prophecy

“Then Jeremiah summoned Baruch son of Neriah, and while Jeremiah dictated all the words the LORD had spoken to him, Baruch wrote them on a scroll.” (Jeremiah 36:4)

The scroll prepared in Neriah’s household survives royal censorship (36:23,32) and becomes the core of the Book of Jeremiah. Thus, Neriah’s family is integral to the canon’s formation.

2. Legal Witness to Hope

When Jeremiah purchased a field during the siege, the prophet entrusted the title deeds to “Baruch son of Neriah” (Jeremiah 32:12). In a climate of despair, Neriah’s son is chosen as custodian of tangible proof that God would yet restore His people. The family therefore stands as a public witness to covenant hope.

3. Fidelity under Accusation

After Jerusalem’s fall, the remnant falsely charges Jeremiah, “You are inciting us at the hand of Baruch son of Neriah” (Jeremiah 43:3). The accusation reveals how closely Neriah’s household was identified with Jeremiah’s message, even when that message was unpopular.

4. International Messenger

Seraiah son of Neriah accompanies King Zedekiah to Babylon and, at Jeremiah’s instruction, reads aloud the oracle against Babylon before throwing the scroll into the Euphrates (Jeremiah 51:59-63). Neriah’s line thus helps carry the word of judgment to the nations, fulfilling Jeremiah 1:10.

Legacy in the Biblical Canon

Through Baruch and Seraiah, Neriah’s house becomes a channel for the transmission of inspired Scripture and for prophetic action both inside and outside Judah. Their faithful stewardship ensures:
• The preservation of Jeremiah’s prophecies in written form.
• A concrete legal testimony of future restoration.
• The proclamation of God’s sovereignty over empires.

Spiritual Lessons

1. God often works through faithful families whose quiet support undergirds visible ministry.
2. The solidarity between Jeremiah and the sons of Neriah models courageous partnership in truth despite social and political pressure.
3. The lamp-imagery embedded in the name “Neriah” is fulfilled as his lineage carries the light of revelation through the darkest chapter of Judah’s history.

Key References

Jeremiah 32:12,16; 36:4,8,14,32; 43:3,6; 45:1; 51:59.

נֵ֣רִיָּ֔ה נֵֽרִיָּ֑ה נֵרִיָּ֖ה נֵרִיָּ֤הוּ נֵרִיָּֽהוּ׃ נֵרִיָּה֮ נֵרִיָּהוּ֮ נריה נריהו נריהו׃ nê·rî·yā·hū nê·rî·yāh neriYah nêrîyāh neriYahu nêrîyāhūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts