זוֹחֵת (zo.chet)
zo.chet
Zoheth
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 Zoheth, or zo.chet, appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:20 as part of the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. It identifies a specific individual, the son of Ishi and brother of Ben-zoheth, during the period of the divided monarchy. Because it is a proper noun with such limited textual presence, its meaning is derived primarily from linguistic roots rather than narrative context.
Lexical sources suggest the name means "releasing" or "one who releases." This etymology connects the personal identity to an action or state of freedom, though the text itself does not elaborate on why this individual received this name. In the dense lists of tribal ancestry, such names serve as markers of lineage rather than theological statements.
The occurrence in 1 Chronicles highlights the importance placed on preserving family lines within Judah. The brief mention underscores how these records functioned to maintain tribal identity and heritage for later generations, anchoring individual lives within the broader story of Israel’s descent from Judah.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in Scripture often carry weight beyond their surface sound. Zoheth appears in a dense genealogical list, marking a specific branch of Judah’s family tree. While the text does not explain the choice of name, its linguistic roots suggest meanings like "releasing" or "freedom." This subtle connection invites us to see how personal identity can reflect deeper spiritual realities, even when hidden in plain sight.
For believers today, these records remind us that every life has a place in God’s larger story. Just as Zoheth was preserved in the lineage of Judah, your own journey is known and valued by God. The Bible shows that individual lives matter within the community of faith, anchoring us in history while pointing toward hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zoheth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זוֹחֵ֖ת1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 4:20
The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben Hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth, and Ben Zoheth.
This verse places Zoheth within the specific lineage of Ishi, highlighting how genealogical records preserved tribal identity during the divided monarchy.