Ozias is a Greek form of Uzziah and is also used for several other persons named in the Apocrypha and related genealogies. In Matthew it refers to Uzziah, king of Judah.
Definition
Ozias is a Greek form of Uzziah and is also the name or form used for several other persons in the Apocrypha and related genealogical records. These include a Simeonite ruler of Bethulia in the days of Judith, an ancestor of Ezra, and the head of a family of temple servants who returned with Zerubbabel. In Matthew, Ozias refers to Uzziah, king of Judah.
Biblical Usage
In Matthew’s genealogy, Ozias is the Greek form of Uzziah and is identified as a king of Judah. Other occurrences identify persons connected with Bethulia, Ezra’s ancestry, and the returning temple servants. The name therefore does not refer to one person in every passage.
Historical Background
The form Ozias reflects Greek usage, while related Hebrew forms include Uzziah, Uzzi, and Uzza. The name is interpreted as “strength from the Lord” in the supplied material.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Son of Joram (Matt. 1:8); called also Uzziah (2 Kings 15:32, 34).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(strength from the Lord).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>o-zi'-as:</p><p>(1) (Ozeias, Ozias, Codex Vaticanus a b): The son of Micah, a Simeonite, one of the 3 rulers of Bethulia in the days of Judith (Judith 6:15,16; 7:23; 8:9 ff; 10:6).</p><p>(2) (Ozeias, Codex Vaticanus and Swete; the King James Version has Ezias (1 Esdras 8:2), following Codex Alexandrinus Ezias): An ancestor of Ezra (1 Esdras 8:2; 2 Esdras 1:2) equals "Uzzi" of Ezr 7:4; 1Ch 6:51.</p><p>(3) Head of a family of temple-servants who returned with Zerubbabel (1 Esdras 5:31) equals "Uzza" of Ezr 2:49; Ne 7:51.</p><p>(4) Greek form of UZZIAH (which see) in Mt 1:8,9 the King James Version. A king of Judah.</p><p>S. Angus</p>
