Zibiah

Zibiah is a name that appears in the Hebrew Bible as the mother of King Joash of Judah. Her name, of Hebrew origin, means "female gazelle," derived from the Hebrew word tsevi (צְבִי), which denotes a gazelle. This name reflects a common Semitic naming tradition of associating women with graceful or beloved animals.

In the Old Testament, Zibiah is mentioned briefly in 2 Kings 12:1 and 2 Chronicles 24:1, where she is identified as the royal consort of King Ahaziah of Judah and the mother of Joash. She hailed from Beersheba, a town in the Negev desert that held significant patriarchal history, being associated with Abraham and Isaac. The scriptural accounts provide no further details about her life beyond her association with Joash's accession to the throne after the coup against Queen Athaliah.

Zibiah is also a Hebrew feminine given name, related to the Aramaic name "Tabitha," meaning "gazelle" (compare the Greek form in Acts 9:36). Historically, the name was used in English Bibles in its King James Version rendering, reflecting its Hebraic root. Variant forms in Hebrew include Tzivya, Tzivia, and Tzvia, all sharing the same animal-based etymology.

Though Zibiah is not a widely used modern name outside of biblical circles, her story is embedded within the tumultuous history of the Kingdom of Judah, especially the period following the rule of the infamous Queen Athaliah. By naming her son Joash—a variation of Jehoash, with the name possibly yielding the element Yahweh meaning "Yahweh is fire" and thus among theophoric names—Zibiah’s narrative intersects with the preservation of the Davidic line.

Cultural Significance

The name Zibiah represents the biblical tradition of naming children after animals of the landscape, similar to Leah's daughter Dinah (judgment) or Rebecca and role of dew. Gracious Zibiah appears among the heroic women of the Bible, noted quietly as humble positions elevating dynastic succession.

• Meaning: “Female gazelle”
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name, feminine
• Usage Regions: English Bibles, traditional among Judeo-Christian communities
• Notable Bearer: Mother of King Joash of Judah