זִיעַ (zi.a)
zi.a
Zia
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 Zia, or zîa, appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 5:13 as a member of the tribe of Gad. This genealogical entry places him among the descendants who settled in Bashan during the period of the divided monarchy. He is identified as the son of Abihail and brother to several other men, including Michael, Meshullam, and Sheba.
Lexical sources suggest the name means "tumult" or disturbance. While this meaning might seem unusual for a personal name, it likely reflects a specific family history or perhaps a descriptive trait associated with his ancestors. The brevity of the record highlights how many individuals in Israel’s tribal lineages are preserved not for their deeds, but simply to maintain the integrity of the genealogical list.
Its sole occurrence underscores the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, which serve to anchor the tribe of Gad within its historical and geographical context. By listing Zia alongside his relatives, the text confirms the continued presence and identity of this clan in Bashan, even as political landscapes shifted around them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zia appears in a single verse of Scripture, nestled within the genealogy of the tribe of Gad. Its meaning, often translated as 'tumult' or 'disturbance,' offers a striking contrast to the quiet dignity usually associated with ancestral records. Yet, this very word reminds us that God’s people have always lived through seasons of upheaval and change.
When we read these lists in 1 Chronicles, we see more than just names; we see families who endured shifting political landscapes and maintained their identity in the land of Bashan. Zia is remembered not for a specific deed, but simply as part of a lineage that God preserved. This shows us that our place in God’s story does not depend on our fame or our strength, but on His faithful recording of every life.
Your own history, with all its noise and uncertainty, is known to Him. Just as Zia was included in the sacred records despite the turbulent meaning of his name, you are held securely in God’s memory. There is comfort in knowing that no part of your journey is overlooked or forgotten by the One who writes our story.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Zia1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/זִ֥יעַ1×