Who was Zia in the Bible?

Zia was a leader of the Gadite tribe, mentioned as a clan chief during the reigns of Kings Jotham of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel. His brief mention identifies him as a significant figure within the tribe of Gad during a specific historical period (1 Chronicles 5:13).

Why is Zia mentioned in 1 Chronicles?

Zia is listed in the genealogy of the tribe of Gad to document the lineage and leadership structure of Israel. His inclusion helps establish the historical continuity and organization of the tribes, particularly those living east of the Jordan River.

What was significant about Zia's time as a leader?

Zia led his clan during a period of relative strength and territorial expansion for the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam II. This places him in a context where the Transjordan tribes were likely prosperous and militarily active.

Zia

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeader

Zia was a Gadite clan leader during the reigns of Jotham, king of Judah, and Jeroboam, king of Israel (1Ch.5.13).

Zia

Biography

Zia was a Gadite clan leader whose name appears in the genealogical record of the tribe of Gad in 1 Chronicles 5:13. He is listed among the heads of ancestral houses belonging to Gad who lived in the region of Gilead and Bashan in Transjordan during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam II king of Israel, roughly the eighth century BC. The Gadite genealogy in 1 Chronicles 5 is notable for describing a people who were skilled warriors and occupied their territorial inheritance east of the Jordan River. Their census and genealogical records were kept because of their military significance. Zia's inclusion marks him as a recognized head within this tribal structure, responsible for his clan's welfare and representation.

Significance

Zia's place in the Gadite genealogy reflects the Chronicles' theological purpose of demonstrating the continuity of Israel's tribal identities under God's covenant. The tribe of Gad, settled in Transjordan, was at the geographic and political frontier of Israelite territory, defending the eastern borders. Their inclusion in the genealogical records of Chronicles affirms that even the most distant and militarily occupied communities were part of the covenant people. Zia's role as a clan leader, however briefly noted, represents the indispensable work of local leadership in maintaining communal identity, order, and faithfulness to ancestral heritage, qualities the Chronicler consistently holds up as essential to Israel's life before God.

Authority Records

Wikidata

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 5:13

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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