Bible Word Study
צִבְיָא
Tsibyâʼ · Tsibja, an Israelite
צִבְיָא
Tsibja, an Israelite
Definition
Tsibja (צִבְיָא) is a proper name referring to a Benjamite, specifically one of the sons of Shaharaim, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 8:9. The name appears only in this genealogical list, which traces the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin after the Babylonian exile. As a personal name, it identifies an individual within Israel's tribal history, though no further narrative details about his life or deeds are provided in Scripture. The name is a masculine form derived from the same root as the feminine name Tsibjah (H6645), which appears elsewhere in the Bible.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 8:9, within a genealogical record. It functions solely as a personal name for a descendant of Benjamin. The context is post-exilic, as the Chronicler is recounting the lineages to re-establish tribal identities. There are no patterns of usage beyond this single, specific identification in a list.
Etymology
The name Tsibja (צִבְיָא) is a masculine proper noun derived from the root צ־ב־ה (ts-b-h), which relates to desire or beauty. It is the masculine counterpart to the feminine name Tsibjah (צִבְיָּה, H6645), meaning 'roe' or 'gazelle,' an animal noted for its grace and beauty. The name likely carries a connotation of 'desired one' or reflects the grace associated with the gazelle. It is part of a common Hebrew practice of using animal names or terms of endearment for personal names.
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant, conveying meaning, hope, or character. A name derived from a graceful animal like a gazelle (צְבִי, tsᵉbî) might reflect parental aspirations for their child's beauty, swiftness, or favor. Genealogical lists, like the one in 1 Chronicles 8, were crucial for preserving tribal lineage, inheritance rights, and identity, especially after the dislocation of the exile. While the individual Tsibja is not prominent, his inclusion underscores the value of every member in the community's collective memory and God's covenant with the tribe of Benjamin. Tsibjah (צִבְיָּה, H6645) — The feminine form of the name, meaning 'roe' or 'gazelle,' borne by the mother of King Jehoash of Judah (2 Kings 12:1).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]