Lexical Summary Tsicha: Drought, Dryness Original Word: צִיחָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ziha Or Tsicha({tsee-khaw'}; as if feminine of tsicheh; drought; Tsicha, the name of two Nethinim -- Ziha. see HEBREW tsicheh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an overseer of Nethinim, also an Isr. family NASB Translation Ziha (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs צִיחָא proper name, masculine an overseer of Nethinim Nehemiah 11:21, who are called בְּנֵי צִיחָא Ezra 2:43 = צִחָא בְּנֵי Nehemiah 7:46; Σηα, Σιααυ, Σιαλ, Σουλαι, etc. Topical Lexicon Entry: Tsicha (Ziha) – Strong’s Hebrew 6727Scriptural Occurrences Ezra 2:43 – “The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth.” Nehemiah 7:46 – “The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth.” Nehemiah 11:21 – “Now the temple servants lived on Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa over them.” Historical Context The name appears exclusively in the post-exilic records that catalogue families returning from Babylon under Zerubbabel and later resettling under Nehemiah. Tsicha represents a family line within the Nethinim, a class of hereditary temple servants originally established to assist the Levites (compare Joshua 9 and 1 Chronicles 9:2). Their inclusion in the censuses underscores the thoroughness with which the remnant sought to restore proper worship in Jerusalem. Role among the Temple Servants (Nethinim) 1. Support Ministry: Nethinim performed essential but humble duties—drawing water, preparing wood, and maintaining temple premises—freeing Levites for priestly functions (Ezra 8:20). Geographical Note Nethinim quarters were on the Ophel, the southeastern ridge of Mount Zion. Living adjacent to the Temple fortified their identity and availability for continuous service. Spiritual Themes • Restoration: The presence of Ziha’s descendants in both census lists confirms God’s preservation of even the least-noted families through exile (Jeremiah 29:11). Ministry Implications 1. Every vocation in the body of Christ, visible or hidden, advances corporate worship (1 Corinthians 12:22). Intertextual Connections The mention of Ziha sits within broader Old Testament testimony that God honors covenant faithfulness rather than bloodline alone (Ruth 1–4; Isaiah 56:6–7). The Nethinim foreshadow the New Covenant reality in which Gentiles are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19). Key Takeaway Tsicha’s family, though minor in number and function, stands as a perpetual witness that the Lord remembers, records, and rewards every act of willing service offered for His glory. Forms and Transliterations וְצִיחָ֥א וציחא צִחָ֥א צִיחָ֥א צחא ציחא ṣi·ḥā ṣî·ḥā ṣiḥā ṣîḥā tziCha vetziCha wə·ṣî·ḥā wəṣîḥāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:43 HEB: הַנְּתִינִ֑ים בְּנֵי־ צִיחָ֥א בְנֵי־ חֲשׂוּפָ֖א NAS: the sons of Ziha, the sons KJV: the children of Ziha, the children INT: the temple the sons of Ziha the sons of Hasupha Nehemiah 7:46 Nehemiah 11:21 3 Occurrences |