Who was Ziza in the Bible?

Ziza was a man from the tribe of Simeon, listed as the son of Shiphi in a genealogy of Simeonite leaders (1 Chronicles 4:37). He is mentioned only in this list of descendants, with no further narrative about his life.

Why is Ziza mentioned in the Bible?

Ziza's inclusion highlights the importance of genealogical records in preserving the lineage and heritage of the tribes of Israel, particularly Simeon. His mention helps establish the continuity and identity of God's chosen people through their family lines.

Are there any stories about Ziza in the Bible?

No, there are no stories or key events recorded about Ziza's life. The Bible only records his name and lineage within a list of Simeon's descendants in 1 Chronicles 4:34-37.

Ziza

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Ziza, a descendant of Simeon, was the son of Shiphi (1Ch.4.37).

Ziza

Biography

Ziza was a member of the tribe of Simeon, listed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4:37 as the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah. He appears in the context of the expansion of Simeonite clans during the period of the Divided Monarchy. According to 1 Chronicles 4:38–41, leaders of Simeon, presumably including those from Ziza's lineage, went in search of pastureland and drove out the Hamites and Meunim who lived near Gedor, settling there instead. This migration reflects the ongoing struggle of Simeon's comparatively small tribal allotment to sustain its growing population within the land of Canaan.

Significance

Though Ziza of Simeon appears only briefly in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles, his inclusion underscores the Chronicler's theological concern to affirm that every Israelite lineage has a place within God's covenantal people. Simeon was a tribe whose inheritance was subsumed within Judah (Joshua 19:1), and its clans often faced challenges of land and identity. The mention of Ziza within a passage describing Simeonite expansion demonstrates God's providential care over even the smallest and least prominent of Israel's tribes, reminding readers that no part of God's covenant community is overlooked or forgotten in the unfolding of sacred history.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:37

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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