The name Azriel is a Hebrew name, identical in meaning to Aziel, signifying “My Strength is God” or “God is My Strength.” It is used for three different individuals in the Old Testament, each playing a role in the administrative or priestly records of Israel.
1. The Chief of Manasseh
The most prominent Azriel is a chieftain or head of a family within the powerful tribe of Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan River. His mention comes in the context of the census taken during the reign of Jotham, King of Judah, and Jeroboam, King of Israel, when the tribes east of the Jordan were still settled in their land.
The genealogical record identifies him as the father of Jeremiah, a leader within the Manassite community who was instrumental in providing warriors for the census.
The King James Version records his place among the eastern tribes:
And these are the chief of the country which dwelt in Gilead, in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders. All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel. …Azriel the chief, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers. (1 Chronicles 5:24)
This record emphasizes that Azriel and his family were recognized as “mighty men of valour” and “famous men,” underscoring their military strength and prominence in the region before the Assyrian exile.
2. Azriel the Father of a Royal Official
A second Azriel is recorded in the book of Jeremiah as the father of a high-ranking official named Seraiah, who served the wicked King Jehoiakim of Judah.
Seraiah was involved in trying to suppress the prophetic message of Jeremiah, showing a family connection to the political power structure that opposed the Lord’s prophet.
The KJV mentions this Azriel in the context of the king attempting to destroy Jeremiah’s scroll:
When Jehudi had read three leaves, the king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them. But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them. (Jeremiah 36:23, 25–26)
This Azriel, through his son Seraiah, is linked to the historical attempt by the powers of Judah to reject and suppress God’s inspired word.
3. Azriel the Priest
A final Azriel is listed briefly as an ancestor of a family of priests who returned from Babylon, further confirming the name’s use across both lay and priestly lines.