Amariah was a high-ranking priest in the Kingdom of Judah who served during the reign of King Jehoshaphat (circa 873–849 BC). His most significant recorded role is his appointment to a position of supreme judicial authority in religious matters, as part of King Jehoshaphat’s judicial and spiritual reforms.
The Chief Priest and Judge
Amariah is prominently mentioned when King Jehoshaphat reorganizes the courts and judges throughout the land to ensure righteous judgment according to God’s law. In this reformation, the King established a supreme court in Jerusalem consisting of Levites, priests, and chief fathers of Israel.
His specific and vital role in this new system is detailed in the book of Chronicles:
“And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.” — II Chronicles 19:11 (KJV)
This passage establishes Amariah as the highest authority in all religious legal matters, which included interpretations of the Law and temple-related disputes. His position as “the chief priest” placed him in charge of ensuring the purity of worship and the administration of justice in accordance with the Mosaic Law throughout the kingdom.
Other Men Named Amariah
The name Amariah was common and appears elsewhere in the biblical genealogies and narratives, pointing to the importance of the name within the Levitical and priestly tribes. Other notable individuals include:
- An Ancestor of Zadok: A forefather in the high-priestly line of Eleazar, mentioned as the son of Meraioth and father of Ahitub (I Chronicles 6:7, 52).
- An Ancestor of Ezra: He is listed in the priestly lineage of Ezra, the scribe and priest who returned from Babylonian exile (Ezra 7:3).
- A Levite in Hezekiah’s Time: One of the Levites appointed to assist in distributing the offerings, tithes, and consecrated things to their brethren in the cities of the priests (II Chronicles 31:15).
- An Ancestor of the Prophet Zephaniah: A great-grandfather of the prophet Zephaniah, who lived during the reign of King Josiah (Zephaniah 1:1).
The repeated appearance of Amariah in the priestly and prophetic lines underscores the enduring significance of its meaning—the declaration or promise of the LORD—in the spiritual heritage of Israel.