Maaseiah

Maaseiah (meaning the work of the LORD) is one of the most common personal names in the later Old Testament, borne by at least fifteen distinct individuals. Among the most notable: (1.) A Levite musician appointed by David to play the psaltery before the ark (1 Chronicles 15:18, 20). (2.) A captain who helped Jehoiada the priest in the coup that overthrew Athaliah and placed Joash on the throne (2 Chronicles 23:1). (3.) An officer slain by the Ephraimite Zichri during the Syro-Ephraimite war against Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:7). (4.) A governor of Jerusalem under Josiah who participated in the temple repair (2 Chronicles 34:8).

Multiple men named Maaseiah also appear in Ezra and Nehemiah in the context of the post-exilic community: a priest who had married a foreign wife (Ezra 10:18), a man who stood at Ezra's right hand during the public reading of the law (Nehemiah 8:4), a priest who sealed the covenant (Nehemiah 10:25), and various Levites and gatekeepers. The frequency of the name reflects the pious naming conventions of the covenant community affirming God's active work in their midst.