Boy Old Testament Rare
Amasa
sparing the people
עֲמָשָׂא a.ma.sa
Amasa (Hebrew: עֲמָשָׂא, a.ma.sa) means “sparing the people”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a warrior. In 1925 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Use is long out of use. Appears with Abigail in 1 Chronicles 2.
Which Amasa?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Amasa
son of Jether; daughter of Abigail
-
Amasa
son of Hadlai
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 13 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 1925 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 1925 | 5 | Long out of use |
| All-time total | 37 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 8 in 1918 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 2 Samuel 17:25 |
| Last appears | 2 Chronicles 28:12 |
| Cross-references | 234 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Jether co-occurrence Appears with Jether in 1 Kings 2.
- Abigail co-occurrence Appears with Abigail in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Berechiah co-occurrence Appears with Berechiah in 2 Chronicles 28.
- Nahash co-occurrence Appears with Nahash in 2 Samuel 17.
- Azariah co-occurrence Appears with Azariah in 2 Chronicles 28.
- Johanan co-occurrence Appears with Johanan in 2 Chronicles 28.
- Jehizkiah co-occurrence Appears with Jehizkiah in 2 Chronicles 28.
- Shallum co-occurrence Appears with Shallum in 2 Chronicles 28.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ch.28.12;
son of: Hadlai (H2311)
§ Amasa = "burden"
1) son of Ithra or Jether by Abigail the sister of David and general of the army of Absalom
2) son of Hadlai and a prince of Ephraim in the reign of king Ahaz
Amasa, along with other leaders of Ephraim, opposed the Israelite army's attempt to bring Judahite captives as slaves to Samaria.
The biblical story
Amasa is mentioned in the context of the conflict between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Ahaz's unfaithfulness to God led to Judah's defeat by Israel and their allies, resulting in the capture of many Judahites. (2Ch.28.5-8)
As the Israelite army was returning to Samaria with the captives and plunder, a prophet named Oded confronted them, warning that God's anger was against Israel for their own sins. He urged them to release the captives, as they were their own kinsmen. (2Ch.28.9-11).
In response, several leaders of Ephraim, including Amasa, stood up against the army and refused to allow them to bring the captives into the city. They recognized the guilt of Israel and the potential for further divine wrath. (2Ch.28.12-13)
Amasa and the other leaders then provided for the captives, clothing and feeding them, and returning them to Jericho, a city in Judah. (2Ch.28.14-15)
This act of compassion and solidarity demonstrated by Amasa and the other Ephraimite leaders was a rare moment of unity and repentance.
Key verses
Amasa appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,
2 Chronicles 28:12
Show all 1 reference
2 Chronicles (1)
- 2 Chronicles 28:12