Who was Zabdi in the Bible?

Zabdi, also called the Shiphmite, was a royal official in King David's administration. His specific role was to be in charge of the king's wine cellars, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 27:27.

Why is Zabdi the Shiphmite significant?

Zabdi's significance lies in his inclusion in the detailed list of David's officials, showing the organization of the kingdom. His role highlights that every position, even managing resources like wine, was valued in serving God's anointed king and the nation.

What does Zabdi's role tell us about King David's reign?

Zabdi's specific appointment over the wine cellars demonstrates the extensive organization and administrative structure David established for Israel. It shows a prosperous and orderly kingdom where even provisions were managed by dedicated, named officials (1 Chronicles 27:25-31).

Zabdi

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKing

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of King David's wine cellars.

Zabdi

Biography

Zabdi the Shiphmite is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27:27 as the official appointed by King David to oversee the royal wine cellars. He held one of the many administrative positions that David established to manage the economic and agricultural resources of the kingdom, serving alongside officers responsible for crops, livestock, olive trees, and sycamore trees. The designation "Shiphmite" likely indicates his geographic origin from Shepham, a settlement in the northern region. His appointment to oversee the wine stores reflects the sophistication of David's royal administration, which organized the kingdom's agricultural surplus into a systematic royal economy. Zabdi's role, while administrative, was an important component of the infrastructure that sustained the Davidic court.

Significance

Zabdi's appointment over David's vineyards and wine stores (1 Chronicles 27:27) offers a window into the complexity of David's kingdom and the diversity of roles that served the king's household and the broader welfare of Israel. Theologically, his role illustrates that God's purposes are advanced not only through priests, prophets, and warriors, but also through those who attend faithfully to practical administration. The careful stewardship of material resources was seen as a component of Israel's covenant life, reflecting the principle that all earthly goods are held in trust for God. Zabdi's faithful service in an unglamorous administrative role is itself a form of covenant faithfulness.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 27:27

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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