Ziha is a name found in the Old Testament, associated with two distinct groups of people who returned from the Babylonian exile. The name itself is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is often understood to be "brightness" or "splendor."

1. Ziha, the Temple Servant:
Ziha is mentioned as one of the heads of the Nethinim, a group of temple servants who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. The Nethinim were a class of temple workers assigned to assist the Levites in the service of the temple. They were likely descendants of the Gibeonites, who were assigned to serve the Israelites after deceiving Joshua (Joshua 9:27).

In the book of Ezra, Ziha is listed among those who returned from exile: "The Nethinim: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth" (Ezra 2:43). Similarly, the book of Nehemiah records: "The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth" (Nehemiah 7:46). These passages highlight the role of Ziha's descendants in the restoration of the temple services after the return from Babylonian captivity.

2. Ziha, the Overseer of the Levites:
Another mention of Ziha is found in the book of Nehemiah, where he is identified as an overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 11:21 states: "But the temple servants lived on the hill of Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa over them" . This indicates that Ziha held a position of authority and responsibility, overseeing the activities and living arrangements of the temple servants in the area of Ophel, a part of Jerusalem near the temple.

The role of Ziha and his descendants underscores the importance of the temple servants in the post-exilic community. Their dedication to the service of the temple was crucial for the re-establishment of proper worship and religious practices in Jerusalem. The mention of Ziha in these contexts reflects the broader theme of restoration and renewal that characterizes the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, as the Israelites sought to reestablish their identity and covenant relationship with God after the exile.Ziha

brightness; whiteness; drought

Ziha

(parched).

1. The children of Ziha were a family of Nethinim who returned with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:43; Nehemiah 7:46) (B.C. 536.)
2. Chief of the Nethinim in Ophel. (Nehemiah 11:21) The name is probably identical with the preceding.

Drought.

(1.) The name of a family of Nethinim (Ezra 2:43; Nehemiah 7:46).

(2.) A ruler among the Nethinim (Nehemiah 11:21).

ZIHA

zi'-ha (tsicha', tsicha' (Nehemiah 7:46), meaning unknown): An overseer of Nethinim (Nehemiah 11:21) who are called (Ezra 2:43 Nehemiah 7:46) "the children (or sons) of Ziha." The Septuagint's Codex Vaticanus and Alexandrinus omit Nehemiah 11:20; the Septuagint has Sial, Lucian Siaau; in Nehemiah 7:46; the Septuagint Codex Vaticanus Sea; Codex Alexandrinus has Oiaa; Lucian has Soulai; in Ezra 2:43 the Septuagint's Codex Vaticanus has Southia; Codex Alexandrinus has Souaa; Lucian has Souddaei.

6727. Tsicha -- an overseer of Nethinim, also an Israelite family
... Tsicha. 6728 . an overseer of Nethinim, also an Israelite family. Transliteration:
Tsicha Phonetic Spelling: (tsee-khaw') Short Definition: Ziha. ... Ziha. ...
/hebrew/6727.htm - 6kZiha (3 Occurrences)
... (2.) A ruler among the Nethinim (Nehemiah 11:21). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ZIHA. ... Multi-Version Concordance Ziha (3 Occurrences). ...
/z/ziha.htm - 8k

Nethinims (15 Occurrences)
... Nethinims. (KJV WBS). Ezra 2:43 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children
of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth, (KJV WBS). Ezra ...
/n/nethinims.htm - 11k

Nethinim (16 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the
children of Tabbaoth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT). ...
/n/nethinim.htm - 18k

Tabbaoth (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children
of Tabbaoth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/t/tabbaoth.htm - 7k

Tabba'oth (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tabba'oth (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:43 The Nethinim: the
children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth; (See RSV). ...
/t/tabba'oth.htm - 6k

Hasupha (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children
of Tabbaoth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/h/hasupha.htm - 7k

Hasu'pha (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hasu'pha (2 Occurrences). Ezra 2:43 The Nethinim: the
children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth; (See RSV). ...
/h/hasu'pha.htm - 6k

Ziim (3 Occurrences)

/z/ziim.htm - 7k

Ziglag (2 Occurrences)

/z/ziglag.htm - 6k

Gispa (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gispa (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 11:21 But the Nethinims
dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims. (KJV DBY WBS). ...
/g/gispa.htm - 6k

Who were the Nethinim? | GotQuestions.org

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