High Priest under Jehoshaphat and Chief Judge in Spiritual Matters
También conocido como: Amariah
El reino divididoHigh PriestChief Judge in Spiritual MattersReligious LeaderActive c. 870–850 BC
Amarja served as high priest in the kingdom of Judah during King Jehoshaphat's reign (c. 872–848 B.C.). As a central part of Jehoshaphat's comprehensive legal reform, Amarja was given authority over all religious and spiritual cases, while Shebajah ben Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, was made responsible for civil matters. This division of judicial authority represents an early and remarkable example of institutional separation of powers in Israel's history. The name Amarja (Hebrew: Amaryah) means "Yahweh has spoken" or "Yahweh has promised," and is borne by several other persons in the Old Testament, including priests listed in genealogies and an ancestor of the prophet Zephaniah.
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Appointed as Chief Judge in Spiritual Matters
King Jehoshaphat appointed Amarjah as high priest to lead in all matters concerning the Lord, as part of a comprehensive judicial reform in Judah.
11See, Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in every matter of the king; and the Levites serve as officers before you. Be strong and act, and may the LORD be with those who do what is right."
Jehoshaphat appointed judges throughout the land and established a higher court in Jerusalem. Amarjah led the religious cases, while Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, was responsible for civil matters. The Levites served as scribes in the court.
7Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful in what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice, no partiality, and no taking of bribes."
8In Jerusalem too, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, the priests, and the heads of the families of Israel to administer the law of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they returned to Jerusalem.
10Whenever a case comes before you from your brothers who live in their cities—whether bloodshed or questions of law, commandment, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they do not become guilty before the LORD and wrath come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.
11See, Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in every matter of the king; and the Levites serve as officers before you. Be strong and act, and may the LORD be with those who do what is right."
The name Amariah appears at least twice in the genealogy of the high priests in 1 Chronicles – as a son of Meremoth and as a son of Azariah. These are likely different individuals from the high priest under Jehoshaphat, but they demonstrate the continuity of the priesthood through generations.
Another person named Amariah is mentioned among the priests who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah after returning from exile in Babylon. This is likely a different person than the high priest during Jehoshaphat.
The prophet Zephaniah is identified as a descendant of an Amariah, who was the son of Hezekiah. If this Hezekiah is King Hezekiah, it links the prophet to the royal line. This Amariah is probably a different person than the high priest during Jehoshaphat.
1The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah.