עֲמַסְיָה
Amasjah, an Israelite
Definition
Amasiah is a proper name meaning 'Yahweh has carried' or 'the burden of Yahweh.' He was a military commander from the tribe of Judah who served under King Jehoshaphat. His specific role was as a captain over 200,000 mighty men of valor, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 17:16. The name signifies a divine bearing or support, reflecting a theological concept of God sustaining His people, particularly in the context of military strength and national leadership during the monarchic period.
Biblical Usage
This name appears only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 17:16. It is used in a military and administrative context, listing Amasiah as one of the commanders appointed by King Jehoshaphat for the defense and governance of Judah. The usage is purely identificatory, providing his name, lineage (son of Zichri), and his specific military command, with no further narrative about his actions.
Etymology
The name עֲמַסְיָה (ʻĂmaçyâh) is a compound of two Hebrew elements: the verb עָמַס (ʻāmaç, H6006), meaning 'to load, carry, or bear a burden,' and the divine name יָהּ (Yāh, H3050), a shortened form of Yahweh. Thus, the name literally translates to 'Yahweh has carried' or 'burden of Yahweh.' It is a theophoric name, common in Israelite culture, expressing faith in God's supportive and sustaining power.
Semantic Range
While a single-use personal name, Amasiah's etymology connects to the profound biblical theme of God as the sustainer and bearer of His people's burdens (e.g., Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 46:4). His role as a military leader under a reforming king like Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:7-9) subtly reinforces the idea that true strength and security for God's people come from divine support, not merely human valor. Understanding the name's meaning enriches the reading of the chronicler's list, turning a simple roster into a testimony of faith in Yahweh's upholding power.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive and carried significant meaning, reflecting parental hopes, circumstances, or theological statements. A name like Amasiah, declaring 'Yahweh has carried,' was a public profession of faith in God's active role in sustaining an individual and, by extension, the nation. His recorded military position highlights the integration of faith and civic duty, where leadership was seen as an extension of God's provision and protection for the community.
Amaziah (אֲמַצְיָה, H558) — A different but phonetically similar name meaning 'Yahweh is mighty,' borne by a king of Judah (2 Kings 14:1).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →