זֵיתָן (ze.tan)
ze.tan
Zethan
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 Zethan appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 7:10 as a son of Bilhan and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. Within this genealogical list, he is grouped with brothers such as Jeush, Benjamin, and Ehud, situating him firmly within the lineage of Israel’s first king.
Etymologically, Zethan derives from the root for "olive," specifically referring to the olive tree or its wood. This connection links his identity to the agricultural landscape of ancient Israel, where the olive was a vital symbol of peace, prosperity, and divine blessing. While the name itself is simple, it anchors this individual to the broader cultural and economic life of his time.
Because Zethan is mentioned solely in a list of descendants, no narrative details survive about his personal actions or character. His presence in Scripture serves primarily to preserve the historical record of the tribe of Benjamin during the period of the Divided Monarchy, ensuring that this branch of Israel’s family tree remains documented for future generations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zethan appears only once in Scripture, tucked inside a genealogical list in 1 Chronicles 7:10. While it may seem like a minor detail, this single mention preserves the identity of a member of the tribe of Benjamin. In ancient Israel, names often carried deep meaning, and Zethan is linked to the olive tree—a symbol of peace, prosperity, and God’s blessing.
Even when we do not know the full story of someone in the Bible, their inclusion reminds us that every person matters to God. The chronicler took care to record these names so that future generations would remember their heritage. This encourages us to trust that God sees and values each individual, no matter how small their role may seem.
When we encounter such brief references, we are invited to reflect on the continuity of God’s people across generations. Just as Zethan was remembered in his time, so too are we part of a larger story of faith that stretches back and forward through history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Zethan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/זֵיתָ֔ן1×