זָבָד
Zabad, the name of seven Israelites
Definition
Zabad is a proper name given to seven different individuals in the Old Testament, all of whom are Israelites. The name means 'gift' or 'he has given,' reflecting a common Hebrew naming convention that acknowledges God's provision. While the name itself is consistent, the individuals appear in various contexts: some are listed in genealogies (e.g., 1 Chronicles 2:36-37; 7:21), one is noted as a mighty warrior of David (1 Chronicles 11:41), and others are mentioned among those who had taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period (Ezra 10:27, 33, 43). One Zabad was involved in the conspiracy to assassinate King Joash (2 Chronicles 24:26).
Biblical Usage
The name Zabad is used exclusively as a personal name in the Old Testament, appearing eight times across historical and genealogical books. It is found primarily in 1 Chronicles, Ezra, and 2 Chronicles. Its usage is almost entirely within lists—either genealogical records (as in 1 Chronicles 2:36-37 and 7:21) or inventories of people in specific historical situations (like the list of those with foreign wives in Ezra 10). The exception is 2 Chronicles 24:26, where Zabad is named as one of the conspirators against King Joash, providing a rare narrative context for the name.
Etymology
Zabad (זָבָד) is derived from the Hebrew root זָבַד (zābad, H2064), which means 'to give' or 'to endow.' It is a passive participle form meaning 'given' or 'gifted.' This root is also seen in names like Elzabad ('God has given'). The name reflects a theological acknowledgment, common in Hebrew culture, that children are a gift from God.
Semantic Range
While primarily a personal name, Zabad embodies the Hebrew understanding of divine blessing and providence. Names in the Bible often carried theological weight, and 'Zabad' ('gift') served as a constant, if subtle, reminder that life and lineage were endowments from God. In the case of the conspirator in 2 Chronicles 24:26, the name creates an ironic contrast with his treacherous actions, perhaps highlighting the tragedy of a 'gift' turned against God's anointed king. Understanding the meaning enriches reading by connecting individual identities to broader themes of God's giving and human responsibility.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were deeply meaningful and often expressed a characteristic of the child, a circumstance of birth, or a statement about God. 'Zabad' fits into a common category of names that thank God for the gift of a child (similar to Nathan, Jonathan, or Mattaniah). Its use across generations in genealogies underscores the importance of lineage and the continuity of God's promises to families within Israel.
Nathan (Nāṯān, H5416) — also means 'he has given,' but is a more common and prominent name (e.g., the prophet). Yᵊhônāṯān (Yᵊhônāṯān, H3083) — means 'Yahweh has given,' a theophoric name explicitly incorporating God's name. Mattanyah (Mattanyāh, H4983) — means 'gift of Yahweh,' another theophoric name with a similar core meaning.
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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