Zebedaios is the New Testament Greek form of Zebedee, appearing in the original Greek Gospels. The name derives from the Hebrew Zebadiah, meaning "Yahweh has given" (from Hebrew zavaḏ "to give" and yah referring to the Hebrew God). Zebedaios is primarily known from the Bible as the father of the apostles James and John.
In the New Testament, Zebedee (Greek: Zebedaios) is a Galilean fisherman whose sons James and John become close disciples of Jesus. The name was transmitted into Greek via the Septuagint and then into Latin as Zebedaeus. Variants in other languages include Arabic Zabada and Finnish Sepeteus (a historical equivalent). The root of the name, Yahweh, is the Tetragrammaton YHWH, representing the Hebrew God. Its original pronunciation involved the root hawa meaning "to be" or "to exist."
Notable Bearers
Zebedee (or Zebedaios) himself is not a major figure beyond being the father of James and John. However, his sons are prominent apostles: James the Greater and John the Evangelist. The name thus has significant religious resonance for Christianity. In art and scripture, Zebedee symbolizes the patriarchal vocation of fishing turned to evangelism.
Etymology
The chain of transmission is from Hebrew Zebadiah (a theophoric name given to 6-7 Old Testament figures, such as Zebadiah son of Benaiah) to New Testament Greek Zebedaios.
- Meaning: "Yahweh has given"
- Origin: Hebrew, via Greek
- Usage: Greek Bible (New Testament)
- Related English form: Zeb, Zebedee