זִיזָא
𐤆𐤉𐤆𐤀
Ziza
H2124 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name Zîyzâʼ, likely meaning 'brightness' or 'splendor', possibly 'prominence'. Used exclusively as a theophoric proper name in the Hebrew Bible, referring to two distinct men: one a descendant of Shimei in the tribe of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:37), and the other a son of Shiphi in the tribe of Reuben (2 Chronicles 29:13).
Semantic Range
proper name (male), possibly 'prominence,' 'brightness,' or 'outstanding one'; not attested outside personal names in this form
Root / Etymology
From the root זיז (z-y-z), possibly meaning 'to move about, project, stand out, or shimmer.' The noun זִיז is used for 'moving things' (e.g., wild creatures, abundance, or a sprouting/protruding form), suggesting something outstanding or prominent. The addition of the ending '-āʼ' is likely a proper noun suffix. Thus, זִיזָא may have originally signified 'shining one' or 'prominent one,' but the precise nuance in the name is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The use of זִיזָא as a personal name occurs only in genealogical lists, with no narrative attached to the individuals. Given the root association with brightness, abundance, or prominence, the name likely alludes to desirable qualities such as distinction or vitality rather than any literal 'prominence.' In English Bible translations, the name is often transliterated as 'Ziza.' The root and form show no connection to later terms designating ethnic or religious identity. The word bears no direct connection to later English or Jewish nomenclature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently from the same as זִיז; prominence; Ziza, the name of two Israelites; Ziza.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זיז (z-y-z) — movement, protrusion, standing out, shining
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2104 | זוּזִים | the Zuzim |
| H2123 | זִיז | conspicuous wild-creature |
| H2125 | זִיזָה | and Zizah |
| H3151 | יָזִיז | He-will-make-prominent |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2124-01 |
וְ/זִיזָ֨א | veziza | HC/Np |
and Ziza | Shining-One | 1 |
H2124-02 |
זִיזָ֖א | ziza | HNp |
Ziza | Shining One | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2124-01 |
1 Chronicles 4:37 | וְ/זִיזָ֨א | veziza | HC/Np |
and Ziza | Shining-One |
H2124-02 |
2 Chronicles 11:20 | זִיזָ֖א | ziza | HNp |
Ziza | Shining One |