Ozias

Ozias is a biblical name found in Greek, Latin, and French translations of the Bible, as well as in some English versions. It is a form of the Hebrew name Uzziah, which appears in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). In the New Testament, Ozias appears in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:8–9).

Etymology

The name Ozias derives from the Hebrew עֻזִּיָּהוּ (ʻUzzīyyāhū), meaning "my strength is Yahweh." This is composed of two elements: ʿoz (strength, power) and yah, a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. In the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate, Uzziah is rendered as Ozias, and this form was carried into English Bibles derived from those traditions.

Historical Context

Uzziah (also known as Azariah) was the tenth king of the ancient Kingdom of Judah, reigning in the 8th century BCE. According to 2 Chronicles 26, he became king at age 16 and ruled for 52 years, during which he fortified Jerusalem, expanded the army, and undertook agricultural projects. However, his later years were marked by tragedy: he was struck with biblical leprosy (tzaraath) after unlawfully burning incense in the Temple (2 Kings 15:5, 2 Chronicles 26:16–21). His son Jotham then ruled as regent. Uzziah's reign is dated variously, with William F. Albright suggesting 783–742 BCE and Edwin R. Thiele placing him as co-regent from 792/791 BCE and sole ruler from 768/767 BCE.

Biblical Usage

Aside from the genealogy in Matthew, Ozias does not appear prominently in the New Testament. Its use in English translations largely reflects the Old Latin and Greek manuscript traditions rather than a direct rendering from the Hebrew. The form Ozias might also be found in the Gospel account of the flight into Egypt or elsewhere, but its most notable occurrence remains the link to King Uzziah.

Notable Bearers

As a variant of Uzziah, the name is associated with a significant biblical king. However, as Ozias itself is primarily a transliterated form, it has not been widely used as a given name among English speakers outside of biblical contexts.

• Meaning: My strength is Yahweh
• Origin: Hebrew via Greek and Latin
• Usage: Biblical (especially in Greek, Latin, and English translations)
• Related Names: Uzziah, Yahweh