Smith's Bible Dictionary

Ava — Azzur

Ava

A’va (ruin), a place in the empire of Assyria, apparently the same as Ivan. 2 Kings 17:24.

Aven

A’ven (nothingness).

1. The “plain of Aven” is mentioned by Amos (Amos 1:5) in his denunciation of Syria and the country to the north of Palestine. This Aven is by some supposed to be the once magnificent Heliopolis, “city of the sun,” now Baalbek (Bäl’bek) of Cœle-Syria, whose ruins are one of the wonders of the ages. It was situated in a plain near the foot of the Anti-Libanus range of mountains, 42 miles northwest of Damascus. It is famous for the colossal ruins of its temples, one of which, with its courts and porticos, extended over 1000 feet in length. The temples were built of marble or limestone and granite. Some of the columns were 7 feet in diameter and 62 feet high, or, including capital and pedestal, 89 feet. Some of the building-stones were 64 feet long and 12 feet thick. The temples are of Roman origin.

Ruins of Baalbek (now called Aven).

2. In Hosea 10:8 the word is clearly an abbreviation of Bethaven, that is, Bethel. Comp. Hosea 4:15, etc.

3. The sacred city of Heliopolis or On, in Egypt. Ezekiel 30:17.

Avim

A’vim (ruins), A’vims or A’vites.

1. A people among the early inhabitants of Palestine, whom we meet with in the southwest corner of the seacoast, whither they may have made their way northward from the desert, Deuteronomy 2:23; probably the same as the Hivites.

2. The people of Avva, among the colonists who were sent by the king of Assyria to reinhabit the depopulated cities of Israel. 2 Kings 17:31.

Avith

A’vith (ruins), the city of Hadad ben-Bedad, one of the kings of Edom before there were kings in Israel. Genesis 36:35; 1 Chronicles 1:46.

Awl

Awl, a tool of which we do not know the ancient form. The only notice of it is in connection with the custom of boring the ear of the slave. Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 15:17.

Azal

A’zal, a name only occurring in Zechariah 14:5. It is mentioned as the limit to which the ravine of the Mount of Olives will extend when “Jehovah shall go forth to fight.”

Azaliah

Azali’ah (whom the Lord reserved), the father of Shaphan the scribe in the reign of Josiah. 2 Kings 22:3; 2 Chronicles 34:8. (b.c. before 641.)

Azaniah

Azani’ah (whom the Lord hears), the father or immediate ancestor of Jeshua the Levite, in the time of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:9.

Azara-el

Azar’a-el, a Levite musician. Nehemiah 12:36.

Azare-el

Aza’re-el, or Azar’e-el (whom the Lord helps).

1. A Korhite who joined David in his retreat at Ziklag. 1 Chronicles 12:6. (b.c. 1060.)

2. A Levite musician of the family of Heman in the time of David, 1 Chronicles 25:18; called UZZIEL in 1 Chronicles 25:4. (b.c. 1050.)

3. Son of Jeroham, and prince of the tribe of Dan when David numbered the people. 1 Chronicles 27:22.

4. One of the sons of Bani, who put away his foreign wife on the remonstrance of Ezra. Ezra 10:41. (b.c. 459.)

5. Father or ancestor of Maasiai, or Amashai, a priest who dwelt in Jerusalem after the return from Babylon. Nehemiah 11:13; comp. 1 Chronicles 9:12. (b.c. about 440.)

Azariah

Azari’ah (whom the Lord helps), a common name in Hebrew, and especially in the families of the priests of the line of Eleazar, whose name has precisely the same meaning as Azariah. It is nearly identical, and is often confounded, with Ezra as well as with Zerahiah and Seraiah. The principal persons who bore this name were—

1. Son of Ahimaaz. 1 Chronicles 6:9. He appears from 1 Kings 4:2 to have succeeded Zadok, his grandfather, in the high priesthood, in the reign of Solomon, Ahimaaz having died before Zadok. (b.c. about 1000.) [AHIMAAZ.]

2. A chief officer of Solomon’s, the son of Nathan, perhaps David’s grandson. 1 Kings 4:5.

3. Tenth king of Judah, more frequently called Uzziah. 2 Kings 14:21; 2 Kings 15:1, 2 Kings 15:6, 2 Kings 15:7, 2 Kings 15:8, 2 Kings 15:17, 2 Kings 15:23, 2 Kings 15:27; 2 Kings 1 Chron. 1 Chronicles 3:12. (b.c. 810.)

4. Son of Ethan, of the sons of Zerah, where, perhaps, Zerahiah is the more probable reading. 1 Chronicles 2:8.

5. Son of Jehu of the family of the Jerahmeelites, and descended from Jarha the Egyptian slave of Sheshan. 1 Chronicles 2:38, 1 Chronicles 2:39. He was probably one of the captains of hundreds in the time of Athaliah mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:1. (b.c. 886.)

6. The son of Johanan. 1 Chronicles 6:10. He must have been high priest in the reigns of Abijah and Asa. (b.c. 939.)

7. Another Azariah is inserted between Hilkiah, in Josiah’s reign, and Seraiah, who was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar, in 1 Chronicles 6:13, 1 Chronicles 6:14.

8. Son of Zephaniah, a Kohathite, and ancestor of Samuel the prophet. 1 Chronicles 6:36. Apparently the same as Uzziah in ver. 1 Chronicles 6:24.

9. Azariah, the son of Oded, 2 Chronicles 15:1, called simply Oded in ver. 2 Chronicles 15:8, was a remarkable prophet in the days of King Asa, and a contemporary of Azariah the son of Johanan the high priest, and of Hanani the seer. (b.c. 939.)

10. Son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 21:2. (b.c. 910.)

11. Another son of Jehoshaphat, and brother of the preceding. 2 Chronicles 21:2.

12. In 2 Chronicles 22:6 Azariah is a clerical error for Ahaziah.

13. Son of Jeroham, one of the captains of Judah in the time of Athaliah. 2 Chronicles 23:1.

14. The high priest in the reign of Uzziah king of Judah. The most memorable event of his life is that which is recorded in 2 Chronicles 26:17-20. (b.c. 810.) Azariah was contemporary with Isaiah the prophet and with Amos and Joel.

15. Son of Johanan, one of the captains of Ephraim in the reign of Ahaz. 2 Chronicles 28:12.

16. A Kohathite, father of Joel, in the reign of Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 29:12. (b.c. 726.)

17. A Merarite, son of Jehalelel, in the time of Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 29:12.

18. The high priest in the days of Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 31:10, 2 Chronicles 31:13. He appears to have cooperated zealously with the king in that thorough purification of the temple and restoration of the temple services which was so conspicuous a feature in his reign. He succeeded Urijah, who was high priest in the reign of Ahaz.

19. Son of Maaseiah, who repaired part of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 3:23, Nehemiah 3:24. (b.c. 446–410.)

20. One of the leaders of the children of the province who went up from Babylon with Zerubbabel. Nehemiah 7:7.

21. One of the Levites who assisted Ezra in instructing the people in the knowledge of the law. Nehemiah 8:7.

22. One of the priests who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah, Nehemiah 10:2, and probably the same with the Azariah who assisted in the dedication of the city wall. Nehemiah 12:33.

23. Jeremiah 43:2 (Jezaniah).

24. The original name of Abed-nego. Daniel 1:6, Daniel 1:7, Daniel 1:11, Daniel 1:19. He appears to have been of the seed-royal of Judah. (b.c. 603.)

Azaz

A’zaz (strong), a Reubenite, father of Bela. 1 Chronicles 5:8.

Azaziah

Azazi’ah (whom the Lord strengthens).

1. A Levite musician in the reign of David, appointed to play the harp in the service which attended the procession by which the ark was brought up from the house of Obed-edom. 1 Chronicles 15:21. (b.c. 1043.)

2. The father of Hoshea, prince of the tribe of Ephraim when David numbered the people. 1 Chronicles 27:20.

3. One of the Levites in the reign of Hezekiah, who had charge of the tithes and dedicated things in the temple. 2 Chronicles 31:13.

Azbuk

Az’buk (strong devastation), father or ancestor of Nehemiah, the prince of part of Bethzur. Nehemiah 3:16.

Azekah

Aze’kah (dug over), a town of Judah, with dependent villages, lying in the Shefelah or rich agricultural plain. It is most clearly defined as being near Shochoh, 1 Samuel 17:1; but its position has not yet been recognized.

Azel

A’zel (noble), a descendant of Saul. 1 Chronicles 8:37, 1 Chronicles 8:38; 1 Chronicles 9:43, 1 Chronicles 9:44.

Azem

A’zem (bone), a city in the extreme south of Judah, Joshua 15:29, afterwards allotted to Simeon. Joshua 19:3. Elsewhere it is EZEM.

Azgad

Az’gad (strength of fortune). The children of Azgad, to the number of 1222 (2322 according to Nehemiah 7:17), were among the laymen who returned with Zerubbabel. Ezra 2:12; Ezra 8:12. With the other heads of the people they joined in the covenant with Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:15. (b.c. 536.)

Aziel

A’ziel (whom God comforts), a Levite. 1 Chronicles 15:20. The name is a shortened form of Jaaziel in ver. 1 Chronicles 15:18.

Aziza

Azi’za (strong), a layman of the family of Zattu, who had married a foreign wife after the return from Babylon. Ezra 10:27.

Azmaveth

Az’maveth (strong unto death).

1. One of David’s mighty men, a native of Bahurim, 2 Samuel 23:31; 1 Chronicles 11:33, and therefore probably a Benjamite. (b.c. 1060.)

2. A descendant of Mephibosheth, or Merib-baal. 1 Chronicles 8:36; 1 Chronicles 9:42.

3. The father of Jeziel and Pelet, two of the skilled Benjamite slingers and archers who joined David at Ziklag, 1 Chronicles 12:3; perhaps identical with No. 1.

4. Overseer of the royal treasures in the reign of David. 1 Chronicles 27:25.

Azmaveth

Az’maveth, a place to all appearance in Benjamin, being named with other towns belonging to that tribe. Ezra 2:24. The name elsewhere occurs as BETHAZMAVETH.

Azmon

Az’mon (strong), a place named as being on the southern boundary of the Holy Land, apparently near the torrent of Egypt (Wadi el-Arish). Numbers 34:4, Numbers 34:5; Joshua 15:4. It has not yet been identified.

Aznoth-tabor

Az’noth-ta’bor (the ears (i.e., possibly the summits) of Tabor), one of the landmarks of the boundary of Naphtali. Joshua 19:34. The town, if town it be, has hitherto escaped recognition.

Azor

A’zor (a helper), son of Eliakim, in the line of our Lord. Matthew 1:13, Matthew 1:14.

Azotus

Azo’tus. [ASHDOD.]

Azriel

Az’riel (whom God helps).

1. The head of a house of the half-tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan, a man of renown. 1 Chronicles 5:24. (b.c. 741.)

2. A Naphtalite, ancestor of Jerimoth, the head of the tribe at the time of David’s census. 1 Chronicles 27:19. (b.c. 1015.)

3. The father of Seraiah, an officer of Jehoiakim. Jeremiah 36:26. (b.c. 605.)

Azrikam

Az’rikam (help against the enemy).

1. A descendant of Zerubbabel, and son of Neariah of the royal line of Judah. 1 Chronicles 3:23.

2. Eldest son of Azel, and descendant of Saul. 1 Chronicles 8:38; 1 Chronicles 9:44. (b.c. after 1037.)

3. A Levite, ancestor of Shemaiah, who lived in the time of Nehemiah. 1 Chronicles 9:14; Nehemiah 11:15. (b.c. before 536.)

4. Governor of the house, or prefect of the palace, to King Ahaz, who was slain by Zichri, an Ephraimite hero, in the successful invasion of the southern kingdom by Pekah king of Israel. 2 Chronicles 28:7. (b.c. 738.)

Azubah

Azu’bah (forsaken).

1. Wife of Caleb, son of Hezron. 1 Chronicles 2:18, 1 Chronicles 2:19.

2. Mother of King Jehoshaphat. 1 Kings 22:42; 2 Chronicles 20:31. (b.c. 950.)

Azur

A’zur, properly Az’zur (he that assists).

1. A Benjamite of Gibeon, and father of Hananiah the false prophet. Jeremiah 28:1.

2. Father of Jaazaniah, one of the princes of the people against whom Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy. Ezekiel 11:1.

Azzah

Az’zah (the strong). The more accurate rendering of the name of the well-known Philistine city Gaza. Deuteronomy 2:23; 1 Kings 4:24; Jeremiah 25:20.

Azzan

Az’zan (very strong), the father of Paltiel prince of the tribe of Issachar, who represented his tribe in the division of the promised land. Numbers 34:26.

Azzur

Az’zur (one who helps), one of the heads of the people who signed the covenant with Nehemiah. Nehemiah 10:17. (b.c. 410.) The name is probably that of a family, and in Hebrew is the same as is elsewhere represented by AZUR.