Who was Zaza in the Bible?

Zaza was a man from the tribe of Judah, recorded as a son of Jonathan and a descendant of Jerahmeel (1 Chronicles 2:33). His mention is primarily genealogical, establishing his family line within the tribe.

Why is Zaza mentioned in the Bible?

Zaza is mentioned to preserve the detailed genealogy of the tribe of Judah, showing the faithfulness of God's promise to David's lineage. His inclusion helps trace the family lines important for Israel's history and inheritance.

Are there any stories about Zaza in the Bible?

No, there are no specific stories or key events recorded about Zaza's life. His name appears only in a genealogical list in 1 Chronicles 2:33, which focuses on his familial relationship rather than his actions.

Zaza

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Zaza was a son of Jonathan and a descendant of Jerahmeel from the tribe of Judah.

Zaza

Biography

Zaza was a son of Jonathan and a member of the Jerahmeelite branch of the tribe of Judah, listed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:33. His father Jonathan was the son of Jada, who was the brother of Shammai; and Shammai was the son of Onam, a descendant of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron. Zaza thus belonged to an important but collateral branch of the Judahite genealogy, one that descended through Jerahmeel rather than through the direct line leading to David. No narrative details about Zaza's life survive in Scripture. His name appears solely in this genealogical register, which was compiled to preserve the heritage and territorial claims of the tribes following the Babylonian exile.

Significance

Zaza's inclusion in the Jerahmeelite genealogy of 1 Chronicles reflects the post-exilic community's deep commitment to remembering its full tribal heritage. Though Zaza left no recorded deeds, his name was preserved because genealogical identity in ancient Israel was inseparable from covenant identity, to be named among God's people was itself a form of theological statement. The careful recording of even minor figures like Zaza testifies to the belief that every member of Israel's lineage mattered in God's overarching plan. Genealogies in Chronicles serve a theological purpose: grounding the restored community in its ancient roots and reminding it of its place within God's covenant history.

Authority Records

Wikidata

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:33

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]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources