Bible Word Study
עֲמָשַׂי
ʻĂmâsay · Amasai, the name of three Israelites
עֲמָשַׂי
Amasai, the name of three Israelites
Definition
Amasai is the name of three distinct individuals in the Old Testament, all Levites. The most notable is Amasai the Levite who prophesied with the Spirit coming upon him, declaring loyalty to David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:18). Another was a Kohathite ancestor of the prophet Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:25, 35). A third served as a chief officer under King Hezekiah during the temple purification (2 Chronicles 29:12). The name itself means 'burdensome' or 'one who bears a burden,' which may reflect a characteristic or hope for the child.
Biblical Usage
The name Amasai appears exclusively in the books of Chronicles, used five times across three different individuals. It is used in genealogical lists (1 Chronicles 6:25, 35), in a narrative of warriors joining David (1 Chronicles 12:18), and in an administrative list of Hezekiah's officials (1 Chronicles 15:24; 2 Chronicles 29:12). Its usage is strictly as a proper noun for Levitical figures.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root עָמַס (ʿāmas, H6006), meaning 'to load, carry, or bear a burden.' It is a nominal form meaning 'burdensome' or 'one who bears.' This root is also seen in words like מַשָּׂא (maśśāʾ, H4853), meaning 'burden' or 'oracle.'
Semantic Range
While a personal name, the Amasai of 1 Chronicles 12:18 is significant for his Spirit-empowered prophecy affirming David's divinely appointed kingship. This moment underscores the role of the Spirit in validating leadership and uniting Israel under God's chosen ruler. The name's meaning ('burdensome') may ironically contrast with his role in supporting David's burden of kingship. In ancient Israelite culture, names often conveyed meaning about character, destiny, or circumstance. 'Amasai' ('burdensome') might have been given in hope that the child would be strong enough to bear life's burdens or, perhaps, during a difficult time. Its exclusive use for Levites highlights the hereditary and vocational nature of temple service. Amasa (עֲמָשָׂא, H6021) — A similar-sounding name (likely from the same root) belonging to a military commander, a nephew of David.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]