זֶכֶר
𐤆𐤊𐤓
Zekher
H2144 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Zeker is a personal name referring to a specific Israelite individual, most likely signifying 'remembrance' or 'memorial,' consistent with names that draw from the concept of memory or being remembered. The semantic range is limited to a proper name in the genealogical lists of the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
personal name; remembrance, memorial (as abstract noun in closely related form); in this form, exclusively a proper name in genealogical context
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root זָכַר (z-k-r), meaning 'to remember.' The noun form זֶכֶר (zeker) means 'memory' or 'remembrance,' so the personal name Zeker likely draws from this concept, signifying someone associated with being remembered or commemorated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Zeker appears as the name of an Israelite, specifically a descendant of Asaph, in 1 Chronicles 25:2. The use of nouns conveying abstract concepts (such as 'remembrance') as personal names is a common phenomenon within Israelite onomastics during the monarchic period. The name is not attested outside this genealogical context. English translations typically follow the transliteration 'Zeker'; earlier versions sometimes substitute common translations like 'remembrance,' but such practice obscures the fact that this is a proper name, not a common noun in narrative or liturgical contexts. Proper distinction is necessary to avoid confusion with the abstract noun for 'remembrance' (זֵכֶר/זֶכֶר) used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as זֵכֶר; Zeker, an Israelite; Zeker.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זכר (z-k-r) — to remember, to recall, to mention
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1798 | דְּכַר | male rams |
| H2138 | זָכוּר | her male |
| H2139 | זַכּוּר | and Remembered-one |
| H2142 | זָכַר | I will cause to be remembered |
| H2143 | זֵכֶר | for remembrance of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2144-01 |
וָ/זָֽכֶר | vazakher | HC/Np |
and Zecher | and Zeker | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2144-01 |
1 Chronicles 8:31 | וָ/זָֽכֶר | vazakher | HC/Np |
and Zecher | and Zeker |