### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name **Zikrîy**, represented by `{{H2147}}`, is defined as **memorable**. It appears **12 times** across **12 unique verses** in the Bible. The name is used to identify twelve different Israelites, often appearing in genealogies and historical accounts where their roles or lineage are significant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, individuals named Zichri hold diverse and notable positions. One Zichri is described as "a mighty man of Ephraim" who slew the king's son and other officials [[2 Chronicles 28:7]]. Another is the father of Elishaphat, one of the "captains of hundreds" who made a covenant with Jehoiada the priest [[2 Chronicles 23:1]]. The name also marks important genealogical lines, such as a son of Izhar from the tribe of Levi [[Exodus 6:21]], and the father of Eliezer, the ruler of the Reubenites [[1 Chronicles 27:16]]. Others named Zichri are listed as Levites, Benjamites, and priests, indicating the name's prevalence across different tribes and functions in Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context in which the name Zichri appears:
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): This term is essential for placing Zichri within family lines, either as a father, as in "Amasiah the son of Zichri" [[2 Chronicles 17:16]], or as a descendant within a longer genealogy [[1 Chronicles 9:15]].
* `{{H1368}}` **gibbôwr** (powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant): This descriptor is directly applied to Zichri of Ephraim, labeling him "a mighty man" [[2 Chronicles 28:7]]. It also characterizes the men commanded by the son of another Zichri [[2 Chronicles 17:16]].
* `{{H2026}}` **hârag** (to smite with deadly intent): This verb describes the decisive and violent action of Zichri the Ephraimite, who "slew Maaseiah the king's son" [[2 Chronicles 28:7]].
* `{{H5057}}` **nâgîyd** (a commander... civil, military or religious): This title is connected to Zichri through his lineage; his son Eliezer was a "ruler" over the Reubenites [[1 Chronicles 27:16]]. The term also describes one of the officials slain by Zichri of Ephraim [[2 Chronicles 28:7]].
### Theological Significance
The accounts of individuals named Zichri highlight several key roles within Israelite society:
* **Military and Civil Leadership:** The name is associated with men of significant authority. Zichri of Ephraim was a "mighty man" who carried out a high-level killing [[2 Chronicles 28:7]], while another was the father of a "captain of hundreds" [[2 Chronicles 23:1]]. A third was the father of a "ruler" over the tribe of Reuben [[1 Chronicles 27:16]].
* **Genealogical Importance:** Zichri is a recurring name in the official lineages of Israel, particularly in the tribes of Benjamin ([[1 Chronicles 8:19]], [[1 Chronicles 8:23]], [[1 Chronicles 8:27]]) and Levi ([[Exodus 6:21]], [[1 Chronicles 9:15]]). These listings establish his place in the nation's ancestral framework.
* **Faithful Service:** The name is connected to acts of devotion and administration. Amasiah the son of Zichri is commended as one who "willingly offered himself unto the LORD" [[2 Chronicles 17:16]], and Joel the son of Zichri served as an "overseer" in Jerusalem after the exile [[Nehemiah 11:9]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2147}}` **Zikrîy**, meaning **memorable**, serves exclusively as a proper name for various men who played distinct roles in Israel's history. These individuals were not passive figures but were active as warriors, fathers of leaders, and key members of important tribal genealogies. While not a theological concept, the name Zichri is consistently linked to men of position and action, making its definition a fitting marker for their contributions to the biblical record.
TRV