Bible Word Study
צִבְיָּה
Tsibyâh · Tsibjah, an Israelite
צִבְיָּה
Tsibjah, an Israelite
Definition
Tsibyâh (צִבְיָּה) is a proper noun referring to a woman from Beersheba who became the mother of King Jehoash (Joash) of Judah. She is identified as the wife of King Ahaziah (2 Kings 12:1) and the mother of the king who was hidden from the murderous Queen Athaliah. The name itself means "gazelle" or "roe," a common and graceful animal in the region, suggesting beauty and swiftness. Her role is significant as she provides the maternal lineage for a king who would restore temple worship in Judah.
Biblical Usage
This name is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the same context: to identify the mother of King Jehoash. It appears in the historical accounts of 2 Kings 12:1 and the parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 24:1. The usage is strictly genealogical and historical, serving to establish the king's lineage and his connection to the town of Beersheba.
Etymology
The name Tsibyâh is a feminine form derived from the masculine noun צְבִי (tsᵉvî, H6646), which means "gazelle" or "roe deer." It is related to the root צבה (tsbh), conveying the sense of beauty or splendor. The name is therefore a theophoric name meaning "Yahweh is my gazelle" or possibly "splendor of Yahweh," associating divine qualities with the grace and beauty of the animal.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not central to major doctrines, Tsibyâh's inclusion in the royal genealogy highlights God's providential care in preserving the Davidic line. Her son, Jehoash, was saved from Athaliah's purge (2 Chronicles 22:10-12), ensuring the continuation of the covenant promises to David. Understanding her name's meaning ("gazelle") can enrich the narrative by subtly emphasizing the preciousness and vulnerability of the preserved royal heir, whom God protected. In ancient Israel, names derived from animals like the gazelle were common, reflecting admiration for the creature's grace, speed, and beauty. The gazelle was a positive symbol in the culture. Identifying Tsibyâh as being "from Beersheba" also situates her in the southern region of Judah, adding a geographical dimension to the king's heritage. צְבִי (tsᵉvî, H6646) — The masculine base noun meaning 'gazelle' or 'roe,' from which Tsibyâh is derived.
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]