שֶׁנְאַצַּ֑ר (shen.ats.tsar)
shen.ats.tsar
Shenazzar
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Shenazzar is a proper name appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 3:18. The text lists him as a son of Shealtiel and a brother to notable figures such as Pedaiah and Zerubbabel. This placement situates him within the royal line of Judah, tracing descent from King Jehoiachin during the period following the Babylonian exile.
The meaning of the name is generally understood as "splendid leader" or "prince." Its occurrence in this specific list highlights the continuity of the Davidic lineage even when the family held no political power. By recording Shenazzar alongside his more famous relatives, the chronicler preserves the identity of a branch of the house of Judah that remained part of the ancestral heritage despite the disruption of exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in the Bible often carry weight beyond their immediate context, pointing to God’s faithfulness across generations. Shenazzar appears in a brief genealogical list in 1 Chronicles 3:18 as a son of Shealtiel and brother to Zerubbabel. Though history does not record his specific deeds, his inclusion reminds us that every member of the Davidic line was preserved by God’s promise.
This quiet presence offers comfort when we feel overlooked or insignificant in our own spiritual journeys. Just as Shenazzar remained part of the royal lineage despite the exile, your place in God’s family is secure regardless of your visibility or achievements. The chronicler’s careful record-keeping shows that God values every individual within His redemptive plan.
When we read these ancient lists, we are invited to trust that God remembers those who seem forgotten by the world. His promises endure through generations, connecting us to a heritage of faith that stretches back to Abraham and forward to Christ. You are known and valued by Him, just as Shenazzar was preserved in Scripture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Shenazzar1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/שֶׁנְאַצַּ֑ר1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 3:18
Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
This verse places Shenazzar within the post-exilic royal lineage, confirming the continuity of David’s line through his brother Zerubbabel despite the loss of political power.