זָ֑הַם (za.ham)
za.ham
Zaham
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Zaham appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, identifying a son of King Rehoboam in 2 Chronicles 11:19. He is listed among the royal children born to Mahalath, who was the daughter of Jerimoth and granddaughter of David. This brief mention places him within the complex family dynamics of the divided monarchy, where lineage and political alliances were tightly interwoven.
Etymologically, Zaham derives from a root meaning "to loathe" or "detest." While the name itself carries this negative connotation, its use here is strictly onomastic rather than descriptive of character. The text does not elaborate on his actions or personality; he serves primarily as a genealogical marker, confirming his status as part of the Judahite royal line during a period of significant historical fragmentation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zaham appears only once in Scripture, recorded as one of the sons born to King Rehoboam and Mahalath in 2 Chronicles 11:19. While the root meaning suggests something distasteful or loathed, the biblical text uses this name simply as a label within a royal genealogy. It does not describe his character or actions, but rather anchors him firmly in the lineage of Judah during a time when the kingdom was divided and political alliances were crucial for survival.
For your faith life, this brief mention offers a quiet reminder that God’s story includes every member of the family tree, even those whose names carry heavy meanings or who remain silent in the historical record. It shows that our identity is not defined by the weight of our name’s etymology, but by our place within God’s larger narrative of preservation and promise.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zaham1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זָֽהַם\׃1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 11:19
She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
This verse establishes Zaham as a concrete link in the royal lineage of Judah, confirming his status despite the lack of further biographical detail.