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.
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.
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.
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.
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