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Unveiling the Word

Understanding Greek words, especially proper names found in biblical genealogies, is critical for grasping the depth of scriptural history. The name Ὀζίας (Ozias) appears in Matthew 1:8 as part of Jesus’ genealogy. This particular name carries significance both in the context of Old Testament figures and its transmission into New Testament writings. Studying names like Ozias sheds light on the connection between the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament, offering insights into the continuity of God’s work across both testaments and bridging cultural and linguistic gaps between Hebrew-speaking and Greek-speaking audiences in the ancient world.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: Ὀζίας (Ozias), pronounced oh-ZEE-as.

Etymology: The name Ozias is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Uzziah, which means “The Lord is my strength” or “The strength of Yahweh.” It is derived from the Hebrew root עז (az), meaning “strength,” and יה (Yah), a shortened form of Yahweh, the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible.

Part of Speech: Ozias is a proper noun, functioning as a masculine singular name in the genealogical context of Matthew’s Gospel. It refers to a specific historical figure, Uzziah, a king of Judah in the Old Testament, who ruled during the 8th century BC.

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Defining Meanings

1. King Uzziah: In Matthew 1:8, Ozias refers to the King of Judah, also known as Uzziah, who reigned for 52 years (2 Chronicles 26). His reign is marked by military success, infrastructural development, and religious dedication to God—although his later years were marred by pride and disobedience, leading to his downfall and affliction with leprosy.

2. Genealogical Significance: The name Ozias serves as a key link in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, demonstrating the lineage of the Messiah through the royal line of David. This emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s promise to David that his line would produce an everlasting king (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

Exploring Similar Words

1. Οὐζίας (Ouzias) [pronunciation: oo-ZEE-as]: Another form of the name Uzziah, reflecting slight variations in transliteration from Hebrew to Greek. Both Ouzias and Ozias refer to the same historical figure.

2. Ἰωάς (Ioas) [pronunciation: yo-AS]: Another king of Judah who appears in the genealogy. Unlike Uzziah, Joash is known for restoring the temple but had a shorter and less prosperous reign.

3. Ἐζεκίας (Ezekias) [pronunciation: eh-zeh-KEE-as]: The Greek form of the name Hezekiah, another king of Judah in Jesus’ genealogy, known for his faithfulness to God and his reforms.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Case, Number, Gender:

• Case: The name Ozias appears in the nominative case in Matthew 1:8, indicating its function as the subject or a name within the genealogical list.

• Number: It is singular, as it refers to a specific individual, Uzziah, the king.

• Gender: The name is masculine, following the grammatical rules for proper names of male figures.

Declension: As a proper noun in Greek, Ozias follows the pattern of second-declension masculine nouns. Its nominative singular form is Ὀζίας, and its genitive singular form would be Ὀζίου (Oziou), meaning “of Ozias.”

Click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The name Ozias or Uzziah appears in biblical lexicons and historical records as a significant figure from the Davidic line of kings. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and Strong’s Concordance note that Ozias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Uzziah, pointing to his role as a king of Judah and a symbol of both prosperity and downfall due to pride. In New Testament contexts, the inclusion of Ozias in Jesus’ genealogy emphasizes the continuity of God’s promises from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Historical lexicons like LSJ and Moulton and Milligan highlight the usage of names like Ozias as transliterations of Hebrew figures into Greek texts, preserving their legacy in the Christian Scriptures.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. 2 Chronicles 26:1 – “Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah (Ὀζίας) and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.”

2. Isaiah 6:1 – “In the year that King Uzziah (Ὀζίας) died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.”

3. Matthew 1:8 – “And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias (Ὀζίας).”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Josephus Antiquities “Uzziah (Ὀζίας), the king of Judah, was struck with leprosy for his disobedience to the Lord.”

Septuagint 2 Chronicles 26:1 “And the people made Uzziah (Ὀζίας) king after the death of his father Amaziah.”

Septuagint Isaiah 6:1 “In the year of the death of Uzziah (Ὀζίας), I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, high and lifted up.”

Noteworthy Summary

The name Ὀζίας (Ozias) connects the New Testament with the Old Testament by appearing in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus. As the Greek form of Uzziah, a king of Judah, the name emphasizes the continuation of the Davidic line and God’s faithfulness to His promises. Uzziah’s reign is remembered both for his military and infrastructural achievements and for his tragic downfall due to pride. Understanding this name’s history enriches the reading of the New Testament, particularly in tracing the lineage of Christ and understanding the royal heritage leading to His birth.

Did You Know?

1. Uzziah, or Ozias, was struck with leprosy after unlawfully entering the temple to burn incense, demonstrating the importance of obedience to God’s commands (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).

2. Uzziah’s reign was one of the longest in the history of Judah, lasting 52 years.

3. The prophet Isaiah began his ministry during the last years of Uzziah’s reign, marking a significant prophetic era.