Who was Ziza in the bible?

Ziza is the name of two Israelites mentioned in the Chronicles genealogies and royal family lists. The name is explained in a lexicon as connected with the idea of prominence, with a component word associated with “fulness of the breast” and also with something moving.

Ziza in Scripture

The first Ziza appears in a list of named men and their lineage in 1 Chronicles 4. Within the sequence of names, Ziza is identified through his father and a line of ancestors:

“and Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah—” (1 Chronicles 4:37, WEB)

This verse sits among other named individuals, presented as part of an extended listing:

“Joel, Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel,” (1 Chronicles 4:35, WEB)

“Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,” (1 Chronicles 4:36, WEB)

The immediate context describes the standing and growth of these families, and then narrates activity connected with seeking pasture. After naming Ziza and the others, the text says:

“these mentioned by name were princes in their families. Their fathers’ houses increased greatly.” (1 Chronicles 4:38, WEB)

The chapter context then continues with a short narrative about their movement and purpose:

“They went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.” (1 Chronicles 4:39, WEB)

“They found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceful; for those who lived there before were descended from Ham.” (1 Chronicles 4:40, WEB)

In this setting, Ziza is one of the named individuals connected to families described as increasing greatly and associated with this search for pasture and the finding of “fat pasture and good” land that was “wide, and quiet, and peaceful.”

The second Ziza is listed among the children born to Rehoboam through Maacah. The narrative context in 2 Chronicles 11 first mentions Rehoboam’s marriage and offspring through another wife, then moves to Maacah and her children. The text reads:

“Rehoboam took a wife for himself, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.” (2 Chronicles 11:18, WEB)

“She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.” (2 Chronicles 11:19, WEB)

Then Ziza appears in the next verse as one of four children born to Rehoboam by Maacah:

“After her, he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.” (2 Chronicles 11:20, WEB)

The chapter continues by describing Rehoboam’s particular affection for Maacah and the scope of his family:

“Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines; for he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.” (2 Chronicles 11:21, WEB)

Within that same context, the narrative notes the appointment of Abijah (who is listed in the same birth group as Ziza) and the distribution of Rehoboam’s sons:

“Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, the prince among his brothers; for he intended to make him king.” (2 Chronicles 11:22, WEB)

“He dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his sons throughout all the lands of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city. He gave them food in abundance and he sought many wives for them.” (2 Chronicles 11:23, WEB)

In this passage, Ziza is identified specifically as a son born to Rehoboam by Maacah, listed alongside Abijah, Attai, and Shelomith, within a broader description of Rehoboam’s wives, children, and administrative decisions regarding his sons.

Multiple bearers

The name Ziza is borne by two distinct individuals in Scripture. One is “Ziza the son of Shiphi” within a genealogical line (1 Chronicles 4:37). The other is Ziza, a son of Rehoboam by Maacah, named among her children (2 Chronicles 11:20).

Name and Meaning

In Hebrew script the name is זִיזָא, transliterated Ziyza’ and pronounced “zee-zaw’.” A lexicon connects it with the idea of prominence and relates it to a root associated with “fulness of the breast,” also noting a sense connected with something moving.

Observation

Both references present Ziza within lists of family and household increase—one among “princes in their families” whose “fathers’ houses increased greatly” (1 Chronicles 4:38), and one among the sons counted within Rehoboam’s large household (2 Chronicles 11:21).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Ziza mean?

Ziza means “prominence.”

How many times does Ziza appear in the Bible?

Ziza appears 2 times.

Who was Ziza in the Bible?

Ziza is the name of two Israelites. One is listed as “Ziza the son of Shiphi” in 1 Chronicles 4:37, and another is named among the children borne by Maacah in 2 Chronicles 11:20.

Where is Ziza mentioned in a genealogy or family list?

Ziza is mentioned in a lineage list in 1 Chronicles 4:37 (“Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah—”) and in a children list in 2 Chronicles 11:20 (“she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith”).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Ziza interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).