AZARIAS ăz’ ə rī’ əs (̓Αζάριας, Gr. form of Azariah, Yahweh has helped). 1. An officer of the army of Judas Maccabaeus (1 Macc 5:18, 56, 60). In absence of Judas (v. 18) he shared command of Judean army with Joseph ben Zachariah. Following victories of Judas and Simon in other areas, Azarias wanted to make his name famous, so engaged Gorgias near Jamnia and was badly defeated.

2. A name used by the angel Raphael (Tobit 5:12; 6:6, 13; 7:8; 9:2).

In the following places where KJV Apoc. reads Azarias, the RSV Apoc. reads Azariah.

3. A supporter of the reforms of Ezra (1 Esd 9:43).

4. A man mentioned in 1 Esdras 9:21 and Ezra 10:21 which reads Uzziah.

5. A man mentioned in 1 Esdras 9:48 and Nehemiah 8:7 which reads Azariah.

6. A man mentioned in 2 Esdras 1:1 and 1 Chronicles 6:13 which reads Azariah.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

Azarias and Azareias:

(1) Azarias, who put away his "strange wife" (1 Esdras 9:21); compare Uzziah (Ezr 10:21).

(2) Azarias, who stood at the right side of Ezra when the law was read to the people (1 Esdras 9:43); omitted in Ezr 8:4.

(3) Azarias, who interpreted the law to the people (1 Esdras 9:48); compare Azariah (Ne 8:7).

(4) Azarias, a name assumed by the angel Raphael (Tobit 5:12; 6:6,13; 7:8; 9:2). See Raphael.

(5) Azarias, a general in the service of Judas Maccabee (1 Macc 5:18,56,60).

(6) Azarias, one of the three men thrown into the fiery furnace (The So of the Three Children (Azariah) verses 2,66); compare Azariah (Da 1:6 ff; 2:17), Abed-nego (Da 1:7; 2:49; 3:12ff).