זוֹחֵת
Zocheth, an Israelite
Definition
Zocheth is a proper noun referring to an Israelite individual mentioned only once in the Old Testament. The name appears in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah, specifically within the lineage of Shobal, a descendant of Caleb (1 Chronicles 4:20). As a personal name, it identifies a specific person within the tribal and family structure of ancient Israel. No other meanings or senses are attested for this word in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
The word זוֹחֵת (Zôwchêth) is used exclusively as a personal name in a single genealogical context. It occurs in 1 Chronicles 4:20, within a list detailing the descendants of Judah. The usage is purely identificatory, serving to name an individual within a family line. There are no patterns of usage across different books or contexts, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).
Etymology
The etymology of זוֹחֵת (Zôwchêth) is uncertain. Scholars have not identified a clear Hebrew root or derivation for this name. It may be of non-Hebrew origin or a corrupted form of another name. Some suggest a possible, though unconfirmed, connection to a root meaning 'to be slippery' or 'to glide,' but this remains speculative. The name's meaning is lost to history.
Semantic Range
As a personal name from a Judahite genealogy, Zocheth reflects the Israelite cultural practice of recording detailed family lineages, which established tribal identity, inheritance rights, and social standing. The preservation of such names, even of seemingly minor figures, underscores the biblical value placed on community, ancestry, and God's faithfulness to specific families within His covenant people.
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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