Azaz is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Azaz was a descendant of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob. He is mentioned only once in the King James Bible, in the genealogical record of the tribe of Reuben found in 1 Chronicles 5. The passage reads: “And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon” (1 Chronicles 5:8). From this single verse we learn that Azaz was the father of Bela and the son of Shema, placing him within a lineage that stretched back through Joel.
The setting of this genealogy is the chronicler’s record of the tribes of Israel, written to preserve the heritage and family lines of God’s people. Reuben, though he lost his birthright because of sin, was still counted among the tribes, and his descendants were recorded with care. Azaz belongs to this larger family history, a link in the chain of Reuben’s posterity.
Scripture tells us nothing more about Azaz himself—nothing of his deeds, his character, or the length of his life. He appears simply as a name within a list, a father whose son Bela became a leader whose clan settled the region from Aroer to Nebo and Baalmeon. What we know of Azaz is limited to his place in the family line of Reuben, but that place is recorded in the enduring Word of God.
The Name
The name Azaz is a Hebrew name, and its meaning is not clearly recoverable from the biblical text itself. Some suggest it may be related to a root conveying the idea of strength or firmness, but this is not established with certainty. Because Scripture provides no interpretation of the name and the etymology is uncertain, we should be careful not to assign it a definite meaning. What is clear is that Azaz was a real person in the lineage of Reuben, and his name was preserved by the chronicler as part of Israel’s genealogical record.
A Closing Thought
Most of us will never be remembered in a genealogy or a history book. Yet Azaz reminds us that being part of a faithful line matters, even when our own chapter is brief. He is remembered not for great exploits but simply as a link between generations, a father in the family of Reuben. Our quiet faithfulness, hidden from the world’s notice, is still seen by God, who records every name and every life within His purposes.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 1 Chronicles 5:8 — And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon: