2129. Ziphah

Lexical Summary

Ziphah: Ziphah

Original Word: זִיפָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ziyphah
Pronunciation: ZEE-fah
Phonetic Spelling: (zee-faw')
KJV: Ziphah
NASB: Ziphah
Word Origin: [feminine of H2128 (זִיף - Ziph)]

1. a flowing
2. Ziphah, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Ziphah

Feminine of Ziyph; a flowing; Ziphah, an Israelite -- Ziphah.

see HEBREW Ziyph

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
fem. of Ziph
Definition
an Isr.
NASB Translation
Ziphah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

זִיפָה proper name, masculine a son of יְהַלֶּלְאֵל 1 Chronicles 4:16 (זִיף וְזִיפָה) (ᵐ5 Ζαιρα, Ζ(α)φαι), compare זִיף above)

זִיקוֺת see I. [ זֵק].

זִיר see זור.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrence

The name Ziphah appears a single time in Scripture, within the Judahite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 4:16: “and the sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel”. This brief mention places Ziphah among the descendants of Judah during the post-exilic chronicling of Israel’s tribal lines.

Genealogical Context

1 Chronicles devotes extensive space to tracing Judah’s lineage, setting the stage for the Davidic dynasty and, ultimately, for the coming of the Messiah (1 Chronicles 2–4). By listing Ziphah alongside his brothers, the Chronicler underscores the breadth of Judah’s family tree. Each individual, whether prominent or obscure, testifies to the continuity of God’s covenant promises through successive generations (Genesis 49:8–10; 2 Samuel 7:16). Although no exploits or narratives are attached to Ziphah, his inclusion confirms that no link in the messianic chain is overlooked.

Historical Setting

Chronicles was composed after the Babylonian exile, when the returned community needed reassurance that their identity—and God’s purposes—remained intact. Names like Ziphah provided tangible proof that Judah’s tribal structure survived the judgment of exile and the upheaval of captivity. The Chronicler’s meticulous record-keeping served as a spiritual census, reminding readers that the Lord “keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Theological Significance

1. Preservation of the Remnant: Ziphah’s presence in the genealogy affirms that God safeguarded even the lesser-known branches of Judah so the royal and priestly promises could come to fruition (Isaiah 11:1; Micah 5:2).
2. Divine Knowledge of Individuals: Scripture’s deliberate recording of seemingly insignificant persons illustrates that the Lord “calls His own sheep by name” (John 10:3). Every believer, regardless of earthly recognition, is counted valuable in the redemptive story.
3. Corporate Identity in Christ: Just as Ziphah contributed to Judah’s collective heritage, every Christian today forms part of the “chosen people, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). The body of Christ is built from many members, some visible, others hidden, yet all essential (1 Corinthians 12:22).

Practical Application

• Encourage Faithfulness in Hidden Roles: Ziphah’s silent witness speaks to those whose service receives little attention. God records faithfulness, not fame (Hebrews 6:10).
• Value Spiritual Heritage: Believers benefit from knowing their spiritual lineage, just as post-exilic Judah found security in genealogical records. Families and churches can honor God by preserving testimonies of His work across generations (Psalm 78:4–7).
• Embrace Identity in God’s Story: Christians can find assurance that their lives, like Ziphah’s, are woven into a much larger narrative culminating in Christ’s kingdom (Revelation 5:9–10).

Forms and Transliterations

וְזִיפָ֔ה וזיפה veziFah wə·zî·p̄āh wəzîp̄āh

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 4:16
HEB: יְהַלֶּלְאֵ֑ל זִ֣יף וְזִיפָ֔ה תִּירְיָ֖א וַאֲשַׂרְאֵֽל׃
NAS: [were] Ziph and Ziphah, Tiria
KJV: Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria,
INT: of Jehallelel Ziph and Ziphah Tiria and Asarel

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2129
1 Occurrence

wə·zî·p̄āh — 1 Occ.