Zacchaeus is a name that appears in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, derived from the Greek Ζακχαῖος (Zakchaios). This Greek form itself comes from the Hebrew name Zaccai (זַכָּי, Zakkai), meaning "pure." The name is borne by a prominent figure in the Gospel of Luke, making it well-known in English Bible contexts.EtymologyThe name traces back to the Hebrew root zakhah, signifying cleanliness or innocence. In the Old Testament, Zaccai appears as a minor character, but its derivative Zacchaeus gains significance through the New Testament narrative. The New Testament version, adopted into English through the Latin Vulgate as Zaccheus, retains the meaning of "pure" or "innocent."Biblical AccountAccording to Luke 19:1–10, Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in Jericho, a wealthy city known for balsam production. Despised by his fellow Jews for collaborating with the Roman Empire and suspected of corruption, Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus as he passed through. Being short in stature, he climbed a sycamore tree to gain a better view. Jesus noticed him, called him down, and stayed at his house, prompting Zacchaeus to repent and declare, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold" (Luke 19:8, ESV). His story illustrates redemption and the inclusivity of Jesus's ministry.Variant FormsRelated names include the Biblical Hebrew Zakkai, the Biblical Greek Zakchaios, and the Biblical Latin Zaccheus. These forms are used in different historical and linguistic contexts but all refer to the same figure.Meaning: “pure” or “innocent”Origin: Biblical Hebrew, via Greek and LatinType: Gender-specific (masculine)Usage Regions: English Bible, Christianity