Hoshaiah was a prominent leader in Judah following the return from the Babylonian exile. He is best known for his participation in the dedication of Jerusalem's wall under Nehemiah, and as the father of Azariah (or Jaazaniah), who was among those who turned to the prophet Jeremiah. He played a role in the religious and political life of the restored Jewish community.
Azariah (Jaazaniah), son of Hoshaiah, was among those who accused the prophet Jeremiah of lying when he warned the people not to go down to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem.
1When Jeremiah had finished telling all the people every word of the LORD their God—everything the LORD their God had sent him to tell them, all these words—
2Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are lying! The LORD our God did not send you to say, 'Do not go to Egypt to settle there.'
The leaders of the people, including Hoshaiah son of Jezaniah, approached the prophet Jeremiah and asked him to pray to the Lord for guidance on their behalf.
1Then all the commanders of the forces came forward—Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest—
2and said to Jeremiah the prophet, "Let our plea come before you: pray for us to the LORD your God, for all this remnant. For we are left few out of many, as your own eyes can see.
4So Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people refused to obey the voice of the LORD, which told them to stay in the land of Judah.
5Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took the whole remnant of Judah—those who had come back from all the nations where they had been scattered, to live in the land of Judah:
6the men, the women, the children, the king's daughters, and every person whom Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had left with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, along with Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah.