זַתּוּא (zat.tu)
zat.tu
Zattu
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Zattu appears in the lists of those who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. It identifies either a specific individual or a family head within the community led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua. The name occurs four times in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Ezra 2:8 and Nehemiah 7:13 as part of the genealogical records, and twice in Nehemiah 10:19 among those who signed the covenant agreement.
Etymologically, Zattu is understood to mean "brightness" or "splendor," likely referring to divine glory. While it does not carry deep theological weight in narrative contexts, its presence in these census lists highlights the importance of lineage and identity for the restored community. The repetition of the name across both Ezra and Nehemiah underscores the continuity of this family’s role in rebuilding Jerusalem’s social and religious structure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zattu appears in the Bible not as a character with dialogue, but as a line in a list. It marks the return of a family or clan to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. This simple record reminds us that God cares about individual identities within His people. Even names that seem minor contribute to the larger story of restoration and community rebuilding.
In Ezra 10:27, we see specific members of this group listed by name, showing that each person had a distinct role in the covenant community. Their presence in these genealogies highlights the value of lineage and belonging. For believers today, it suggests that every member of the church body is known and counted, regardless of how prominent their role may appear to others.
This word invites us to appreciate the quiet faithfulness of those who rebuild. It encourages a sense of unity where every family and individual contributes to the whole. The continuity of these names across Ezra and Nehemiah shows that God’s people persist through generations, maintaining their identity and purpose in His plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zattu4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זַתּ֔וּא2×
- זַתּוּא1×
- זַתּ֑וּא1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:8
The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five.
This verse records the number of descendants from Zattu returning with Zerubbabel, establishing the family's significant size and role in the initial restoration.
-
Nehemiah 7:13
The children of Zattu: eight hundred forty-five.
The repetition of this count confirms the accuracy of the genealogical records and the enduring presence of this lineage in the post-exilic community.
-
Ezra 10:27
Of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza.
This passage lists specific individuals from Zattu’s line who were involved in addressing the issue of foreign marriages, showing their active participation in religious reform.