Azariah, meaning "Yahweh has helped," is the Hebrew name of one of the three young men taken into Babylonian captivity alongside Daniel. He is more commonly known by his Babylonian name, Abed-Nego. Azariah's account is primarily found in the Book of Daniel, where he is depicted as a faithful servant of God who, despite the pressures of a foreign culture, remains steadfast in his devotion to the God of Israel.

Background and Context

Azariah was among the young men of noble or royal lineage taken from Jerusalem to Babylon during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. This event is part of the larger narrative of the Babylonian Exile, a period when the Kingdom of Judah was conquered, and many of its inhabitants were deported to Babylon. The purpose of this deportation was to assimilate the best and brightest of Judah into Babylonian society, as described in Daniel 1:3-4 : "Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring in some Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace."

Name Change and Cultural Assimilation

Upon their arrival in Babylon, Azariah and his companions were given new names as part of their assimilation into Babylonian culture. Azariah was renamed Abed-Nego, which means "servant of Nebo," a Babylonian deity. This name change was an attempt to strip them of their Hebrew identity and heritage, yet Azariah and his friends remained faithful to their God.

Faithfulness in the Face of Persecution

Azariah's most notable act of faith is recorded in Daniel 3. King Nebuchadnezzar erected a massive golden statue and commanded all his subjects to worship it. Azariah, along with his companions Hananiah (Shadrach) and Mishael (Meshach), refused to bow down to the idol, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3).

Their refusal led to their being cast into a fiery furnace, a punishment intended to serve as a deterrent to others. However, God miraculously delivered them from the flames. Daniel 3:25 records Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment: "Look! I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!" This divine intervention not only preserved their lives but also served as a powerful testimony to the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

Legacy and Significance

Azariah's account is a profound example of faith and courage in the face of adversity. His steadfastness, along with that of his companions, serves as an enduring testament to the power of faith and the importance of remaining true to one's beliefs, even when confronted with overwhelming pressure to conform. The account of Azariah and his friends continues to inspire believers to trust in God's deliverance and to stand firm in their convictions, regardless of the circumstances.Daniel 1:7,19
To whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave to Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
Nave's Topical Index

In the Court of Babylon
... was attached to the names given by Hebrew parents to ... were placed, "gave unto Daniel
the name of Belteshazzar ... to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego ...
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Why do some people in the Bible have more than one name? | GotQuestions.org

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