עַזְמָוֶת
Azmaveth, the name of three Israelites and of a place in Palestine
Definition
Azmaveth is a proper name used in the Old Testament for three different individuals and one location. As a personal name, it refers to: 1) One of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:31, 1 Chronicles 11:33), 2) A descendant of King Saul (1 Chronicles 8:36, 9:42), and 3) The father of two men who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:3). As a place name, Azmaveth was a town in the territory of Benjamin, whose inhabitants returned from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:24, Nehemiah 12:29). David also appointed an overseer named Azmaveth for his royal treasures (1 Chronicles 27:25).
Biblical Usage
The name Azmaveth appears eight times across historical books, primarily in Chronicles (5 times), with single occurrences in Samuel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. It is used exclusively in genealogical, military, and geographical lists. In Chronicles and Samuel, it identifies warriors and descendants in David's and Saul's lineages. In Ezra and Nehemiah, it functions as a toponym for a repopulated town post-exile. The pattern shows its use for establishing identity within Israel's tribal and national history.
Etymology
Azmaveth derives from the Hebrew roots עַז (az, H5794), meaning 'strong, fierce, mighty,' and מָוֶת (mavet, H4194), meaning 'death.' The compound likely means 'strong one of death' or 'death is strong.' This could be a theophoric name invoking divine strength over mortality, or it may reflect a hope for resilience. Similar compound names with 'az' appear in the Bible, emphasizing strength or might.
Semantic Range
While primarily a proper name, Azmaveth's etymology ('strong one of death') touches on profound biblical themes of God's power over death and human mortality. Its bearers—a mighty man of David, a descendant of Saul, and an exile-returning town—collectively symbolize God's faithfulness across generations, even through judgment and restoration. Understanding the name's meaning enriches reading by highlighting how personal and place names in Scripture often encapsulate theological truths about divine strength and human hope within the covenant community.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances, hopes, or attributes. A name like Azmaveth, combining 'strength' and 'death,' may have been given to invoke protection or signify surviving a perilous situation. Its use for both persons and a location underscores the integration of family identity with land, a key aspect of Israelite tribal society. The town's mention post-exile indicates its survival and continuity, important for community restoration.
Azaz (עָזָז, H5812) — a personal name also derived from 'az,' meaning 'strong.' Azriel (עַזְרִיאֵל, H5837) — a name meaning 'God is my help,' combining 'az' with 'El' for God. Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה, H5838) — a common name meaning 'Yahweh has helped,' using 'az' in a covenantal context.
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.
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