צֹבֵבָה
Tsobebah, an Israelitess
Definition
Tsobebah (צֹבֵבָה) is a proper name given to an Israelite woman mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. The name appears only once in the Bible, in 1 Chronicles 4:8, where she is listed as a descendant of Judah through his son, Hezron. The text identifies her as the mother of several sons, including Jehubbah, Alemeth, and Naamah, making her a matriarch within the Judahite lineage. The name itself is derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'to encircle' or 'to canopy,' possibly suggesting a protective or encompassing quality.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively as a personal name in the Old Testament. Its single occurrence is in the genealogical section of 1 Chronicles 4:8, within the context of listing the descendants of Judah. The usage is purely for identification within a family record, with no narrative or descriptive context provided about her life or actions.
Etymology
The name Tsobebah is the feminine active participle form of the root צ־ב־ב (ts-b-b), which relates to the idea of 'encircling' or 'winding around.' It shares a connection with the noun צָב (tsav, H6632), which can refer to a 'canopy' or 'covered wagon.' Thus, the name likely carries a sense of 'the one who encircles' or 'the canopier,' possibly implying protection or shelter.
Semantic Range
While Tsobebah herself is not a major theological figure, her inclusion in the genealogy of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:8) is significant. It highlights the biblical practice of recording both men and women in the lineage leading to King David and, ultimately, to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3, 5-6). Her mention underscores the value of every individual in God's covenantal plan and the importance of family heritage within Israel's history.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried descriptive meaning or expressed hopes about a person's character. A name like Tsobebah, suggesting 'encirclement' or 'canopy,' might have conveyed a sense of protection or blessing upon the child. As a woman recorded in a genealogy, her inclusion signifies her recognized role in continuing the tribal line, which was vital for maintaining inheritance rights and tribal identity.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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