זְבִידָה
Zebidah, an Israelitess
Definition
Zebidah is a proper name given to a woman in the Old Testament, specifically the mother of King Jehoiakim of Judah. The name itself means 'giving' or 'endowed,' derived from the Hebrew root for 'to give.' In the biblical record, Zebidah is identified as the daughter of Pedaiah from Rumah (2 Kings 23:36). Her sole mention is in the context of her son's lineage and reign, providing a genealogical link in the history of the kings of Judah. No other narrative details about her life or actions are provided in Scripture.
Biblical Usage
The name Zebidah is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Kings 23:36. It appears in a standard formulaic introduction for a new king, listing his age, the length of his reign, his mother's name, and an evaluation of his character. The usage is purely genealogical and historical, serving to identify King Jehoiakim's maternal lineage. No patterns or varied contexts exist, as it is a single-occurrence proper noun.
Etymology
Zebidah (זְבִידָה) is a feminine proper noun derived from the Hebrew root זָבַד (zāḇad, H2064), meaning 'to give,' 'to endow,' or 'to bestow.' It is the feminine form of the name Zebid, sharing the same root. The name essentially means 'given' or 'endowed one,' likely reflecting a sentiment of gratitude for a child perceived as a gift. It is related to other names like Zebadiah, which incorporates the divine name Yahweh ('Yahweh has given').
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, personal names often carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or acknowledgment of God. A name like Zebidah ('given') likely expressed the parents' thankfulness for the birth of a daughter, viewing her as a gift or endowment. While she is only noted as a king's mother, this role conferred a certain status, as the queen mother held a recognized position in the royal court. Her mention underscores the importance of lineage and maternal ancestry in the official records of the monarchy.
Zebadiah (זְבַדְיָה, H2069) — A masculine name meaning 'Yahweh has given,' sharing the same root but explicitly incorporating the divine name.
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.
Full methodology & sources →