General in the army of Judas Maccabeus, who, together with Joseph, son of Zacharias, was left in command of the Judean army (165 B.C.) when Judas and Jonathan were absent in Gilead and Simon in Galilee. Orders had been given to Azarias to remain passive and not to engage in battle before the return of the leaders. Azarias, however, became restless upon hearing of the deeds of valor which others had performed, and went out to battle with the enemy at Jamnia. He was nevertheless beaten back by the Syrian general Gorgias, with a loss of two thousand men.
Bibliography:- I Maccabees, v. 18, 19, 55-62;
- Josephus, Ant. xii. 8, § 6;
- Schürer, Geschichte, i. 164.
K. G.
