Who was Zimmah in the bible?

Zimmah (זִמָּה; Zimmah, pronounced zim-maw’) is the name of two Israelites in the Bible. In the passages where the name appears, each Zimmah is identified within Levitical genealogies, and one is named as the father of a Gershonite Levite active in temple service.

Zimmah in Scripture

Zimmah is first mentioned in a genealogy connected with the Levites. After naming major Levitical family lines, the text places Zimmah within the line of Gershom:

“The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.” (1 Chronicles 6:18)

“The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ households.” (1 Chronicles 6:19)

“Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,” (1 Chronicles 6:20)

In this sequence, Zimmah is presented as a descendant in the Gershomite line: “Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son.” Immediately following, the genealogy continues through Zimmah to later descendants:

“Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son.” (1 Chronicles 6:21)

A second mention of a man named Zimmah appears later in the same chapter within another genealogical chain. In the context of a longer ancestry list, Zimmah is named between Ethan and Shimei:

“the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah,” (1 Chronicles 6:40)

“the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,” (1 Chronicles 6:41)

“the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,” (1 Chronicles 6:42)

“the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.” (1 Chronicles 6:43)

Here Zimmah is embedded in a different segment of descent language (“the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei”), and the genealogy continues until it reaches “Gershom” and “Levi.”

Finally, Zimmah is named in the narrative setting of Levites responding to a king’s call to renewed covenant faithfulness and temple cleansing. The chapter context frames a summons to priestly and Levitical duty:

“Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Yahweh, the God of Israel, that his fierce anger may turn away from us.” (2 Chronicles 29:10)

“My sons, don’t be negligent now; for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before him, to minister to him, and that you should be his ministers, and burn incense.” (2 Chronicles 29:11)

Against that backdrop, the text lists Levites who “arose,” organizing them by their broader Levitical groupings. Among those named are representatives from “the sons of the Kohathites,” “the sons of Merari,” and “the Gershonites.” Zimmah is not depicted acting directly, but he is identified as the father of one of the Gershonites who responded:

“Then the Levites arose, Mahath, the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah;” (2 Chronicles 29:12)

The list continues with additional Levitical names:

“and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;” (2 Chronicles 29:13)

“and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.” (2 Chronicles 29:14)

After these men are named, the narrative describes their coordinated response to the command to cleanse the temple, emphasizing their preparation and obedience:

“They gathered their brothers, sanctified themselves, and went in, according to the commandment of the king by Yahweh’s words, to cleanse Yahweh’s house.” (2 Chronicles 29:15)

Within this account, Zimmah’s significance is genealogical: “Joah the son of Zimmah” is among “the Gershonites” who arose and participated in the effort.

Multiple men named Zimmah

The identity gloss associated with the name indicates that “Zimmah” is borne by two Israelites. In the biblical text provided, the name appears in distinct genealogical formulations:

One Zimmah is explicitly placed in the Gershomite descent line in 1 Chronicles 6:20, where the chain reads, “Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,” and then continues, “Joah his son” (1 Chronicles 6:20–21). This Zimmah stands as a link between “Jahath” and “Joah.”

Another Zimmah appears in 1 Chronicles 6:42 in a separate chain: “the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei” (1 Chronicles 6:42). That chain continues, “the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi” (1 Chronicles 6:43), situating this Zimmah within a line that also culminates in Gershom and Levi.

In 2 Chronicles 29:12, Zimmah is named as the father of “Joah” among “the Gershonites”: “Joah the son of Zimmah” (2 Chronicles 29:12). The verse itself does not explicitly connect this Zimmah to one of the two genealogical occurrences in 1 Chronicles 6, but it presents him in Gershonite context and uses him to identify Joah’s lineage and place among those who “arose” for temple cleansing (2 Chronicles 29:12, 29:15).

Name and Meaning

The name is written in Hebrew as זִמָּה, transliterated Zimmah, and pronounced zim-maw’. Its derivation is linked to a related Hebrew term described as meaning a plan—especially a bad one.

Observation

Across these passages, Zimmah is remembered through family lines and Levitical identification: he appears as a named link in Gershomite genealogies (1 Chronicles 6:20–21; 1 Chronicles 6:42–43) and as the father of “Joah” among the Gershonites who responded to cleanse “Yahweh’s house” (2 Chronicles 29:12, 29:15).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Zimmah mean?

Zimmah is used as the name of two Israelites.

How many times does Zimmah appear in the Bible?

Zimmah appears 3 times.

Who was Zimmah in the Bible?

Zimmah is the name of two Israelites. One is listed in a genealogy as “Zimmah his son” (1 Chronicles 6:20).

Where is Zimmah mentioned in genealogies?

Zimmah is named in genealogical lines in 1 Chronicles 6:20 and 1 Chronicles 6:42, including “the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah” (1 Chronicles 6:42).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Zimmah 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).