Azmaveth, son of Adiel
An official in the administration of King David responsible for the royal storehouses during the Divided Monarchy period.
Azmaveth, the son of Adiel, was a high-ranking official within the royal bureaucracy of Israel. He is specifically identified in the records of the chronicler as the overseer of the king's central treasuries or storehouses. His role was distinct from those who managed regional storehouses in the countryside, cities, or fortresses, marking him as a figure of significant trust and logistical authority at the heart of the kingdom.
His service occurs during the organizational restructuring of the kingdom described in the later chapters of 1 Chronicles. As the son of Adiel, Azmaveth belonged to a class of administrators who ensured the economic stability and resource management of the Davidic dynasty. While his personal narrative is not expanded upon in the text, his inclusion in the official register of officers highlights the shift from a simple tribal confederacy to a sophisticated state apparatus.
Background and Family
Azmaveth is identified in the biblical record as the son of Adiel. The name Azmaveth itself is a composite of two Hebrew elements: az (meaning "strong" or "mighty") and maveth (meaning "death"), often translated as "Death is Strong" or "Strong one of Death." While the specific tribe of Azmaveth and his father Adiel is not explicitly stated in the immediate context of 1 Chronicles 27:25, he is listed among the chief officers and tribal leaders who served the throne. The mention of his father, Adiel, serves as a genealogical marker to distinguish him from other contemporaries bearing the same name who served in different capacities.
Major Life Events
The primary historical record of Azmaveth, son of Adiel, is his appointment to the office of overseer of the royal storehouses (ozrot). According to the biblical text, his jurisdiction was specific and centralized:
"Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses." (1 Chronicles 27:25)
This division of labor suggests that Azmaveth was responsible for the primary treasuries, likely located in the capital of Jerusalem, which held the king’s personal wealth, taxes, and consecrated gifts. His contemporary, Jonathan son of Uzziah, managed the decentralized logistics, indicating that Azmaveth held a senior position in the hierarchy of the state’s financial and resource management.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Azmaveth’s professional relationship was defined by his service to the King. He worked alongside a network of specialized administrators, including Jonathan son of Uzziah (logistics), Ezri son of Chelub (agriculture), and Shimei the Ramathite (vineyards). This group of men formed the economic backbone of the Davidic administration. As the son of Adiel, he likely inherited or achieved a status of nobility that allowed him access to the inner workings of the royal court.
Spiritual Significance
While the text does not record a specific prophetic message or moral narrative for Azmaveth, his inclusion in the sacred history underscores the biblical principle of stewardship. In the Chronicler's view, the organization of the kingdom was a reflection of divine order. By faithfully managing the physical resources of the nation, Azmaveth participated in the broader preparation for the building of the Temple and the stabilization of the Davidic line. His life illustrates the importance of administrative integrity and the role of the "secular" official in the fulfillment of God’s covenantal purposes for Israel.
Spiritual Significance
The presence of Azmaveth in the biblical text signifies the transition of Israel into a highly organized and wealthy monarchy. His role as the supervisor of the royal storehouses demonstrates that the prosperity of the kingdom was not merely a matter of military conquest, but of careful, divinely-ordered administration. Theologically, he represents the 'steward' who is found faithful in managing that which belongs to another—in this case, the king who represented God's rule on earth.
Furthermore, his placement in the lists of 1 Chronicles serves the author's purpose of showing that every aspect of the kingdom, from the priests to the storehouse keepers, was accounted for and essential to the health of the nation. Azmaveth’s specific lineage and office provide a historical anchor for the economic reality of the Divided Monarchy period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Azmaveth’s specific job in the kingdom?
Azmaveth was in charge of the royal storehouses, meaning he managed the central treasuries and collected resources belonging to the king.
Who was Azmaveth's father?
He was the son of Adiel.
Where is Azmaveth mentioned in the Bible?
He is mentioned only in 1 Chronicles 27:25.
Did Azmaveth manage all the storehouses in Israel?
No, he managed the royal storehouses, while Jonathan son of Uzziah managed the storehouses in the countryside, cities, villages, and fortresses.
What does the name Azmaveth mean?
The name is generally translated from Hebrew as 'Strong is Death' or 'Death is Mighty.'
Connected Figures
Categories
Mentions by Book
- 1 Chronicles1
Family & Relationships
Parent
1 Chronicles 27:25
Others Named Azmaveth
Azmaveth the Barhumite2 Samuel 23:31
A member of King David’s elite group of warriors known as 'The Thirty,' recognized for his military prowess during the United Monarchy.
Azmaveth, Father of Jeziel and Pelet1 Chronicles 12:3
A Benjaminite father whose sons joined David’s army at Ziklag during the Divided Monarchy period.
Azmaveth, Descendant of Saul1 Chronicles 8:36
Azmaveth was a Benjaminite nobleman and a direct descendant of King Saul, appearing in the genealogical records of the chronicler to document the persistence of the house of Saul.