Azzur
“Helper”
Summary
A Hebrew name meaning 'helper' borne by three men in the Old Testament, including fathers of two opponents of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
☩Father of the False Prophet
One Azzur (spelled 'Azur' in some translations) was the father of Hananiah of Gibeon, a false prophet who encouraged King Zedekiah against the Babylonians. Hananiah falsely prophesied that within two years the Lord would break the yoke of Babylon and return the Temple vessels and exiles. Jeremiah confronted him, and Hananiah died that same year as a sign of his false prophecy.
☩Father of Jaazaniah
Another Azzur was the father of Jaazaniah, one of the leaders whom Ezekiel saw in vision devising false schemes of safety for Jerusalem against the Babylonians. Jaazaniah was among the princes giving wicked counsel to the city.
☩Signer of the Covenant
A third Azzur was one of the chief Israelites who signed the covenant of faith with Jehovah on the return from Babylon, sealing themselves to walk in God's law given through Moses. The name probably represents a family rather than an individual in this context.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Azzur," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Azzur," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Azzur," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Azzur," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).