feminine passive participle of צָרַע; leprous; Tseruah, an Israelitess; Zeruah.
Transliteration:Tsᵉrûwʻâh
Pronunciation:tser-oo-aw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word Tsᵉrûwʻâh (`{{H6871}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a feminine personal name. Its base definition indicates it is a feminine passive participle derived from the verb tsāraʻ (`{{H6870}}`), which means "to be leprous," "to be stricken with a skin disease," or "to be smitten." Thus, the name Tsᵉrûwʻâh literally means "the leprous one" or "stricken" or "smitten." While the name itself is a designation for an individual, its etymological root carries significant semantic weight, evoking the concept of a severe physical affliction and, in a broader biblical context, often divine judgment or ritual impurity. The semantic range of the root verb extends beyond mere physical ailment to encompass a state of being divinely touched or afflicted.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Tsᵉrûwʻâh (`{{H6871}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of 1 Kings:
* [[1 Kings 11:26]]: "And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, even he lifted up his hand against the king."
In this sole occurrence, Zeruah is identified as the mother of Jeroboam I, who would famously lead the ten northern tribes in secession from the Davidic monarchy and establish a rival kingdom with its own idolatrous cult. The text provides no further details about Zeruah herself, nor does it explicitly link her name's meaning ("stricken" or "leprous") to her character or to the destiny of her son. The mention serves primarily to identify Jeroboam's lineage. However, in biblical narrative, names are often imbued with symbolic significance, and the choice of such a name for the mother of a figure so central to Israel's division and spiritual decline invites deeper contemplation. While it is not stated that Zeruah herself suffered from *tsara'at*, the name's meaning might subtly foreshadow the spiritual "striking" or "disease" that Jeroboam would bring upon Israel through his idolatry and schism.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words to Tsᵉrûwʻâh (`{{H6871}}`) are those derived from its root:
* **Tsāraʻ (`{{H6870}}`):** The verb "to be leprous," "to be afflicted with a skin disease," or "to be smitten." This verb is used extensively in the Levitical purity laws concerning *tsara'at*.
* **Tsāraʻat (`{{H6883}}`):** The noun form, referring to "leprosy" or, more broadly, to a severe and often divinely-sent skin affliction. This condition rendered individuals ritually unclean and necessitated their isolation from the community (e.g., [[Leviticus 13:45-46]]).
The concept of *tsara'at* in the Bible is multifaceted. While it describes a physical ailment, it is frequently depicted as a divine judgment for sin, particularly rebellion against God or His appointed leaders. Examples include Miriam's *tsara'at* for speaking against Moses ([[Numbers 12:10]]), Gehazi's for greed and deception ([[2 Kings 5:27]]), and King Uzziah's for presuming to offer incense in the temple ([[2 Chronicles 26:19-21]]). The laws concerning *tsara'at* in [[Leviticus 13-14]] are not merely medical guidelines but profound theological statements about purity, defilement, and the holiness of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Tsᵉrûwʻâh (`{{H6871}}`) lies primarily in the potential symbolic resonance of her name. While the text does not explicitly draw a connection, the biblical tradition often uses names to convey deeper truths about individuals, their lineage, or their destiny. For Jeroboam's mother to be named "Zeruah" — meaning "stricken" or "leprous" — could be interpreted as a subtle narrative foreshadowing.
The *tsara'at* (`{{H6883}}`) of the Old Testament was not merely a physical disease but a powerful symbol of spiritual defilement, divine judgment, and separation from the holy community. Jeroboam, through his establishment of golden calves at Dan and Bethel, led Israel into profound spiritual idolatry, effectively "striking" the nation with a spiritual disease that alienated them from the true worship of Yahweh. This act initiated a long line of apostate kings in the northern kingdom, leading ultimately to its downfall.
Therefore, while Zeruah herself is a minor character, her name may serve as a poignant, albeit understated, prophetic indicator. It could suggest that the lineage from which Jeroboam sprang was, in some sense, already "stricken" or marked by a spiritual vulnerability that would manifest in Jeroboam's devastating actions, bringing spiritual "leprosy" upon the nation of Israel. This interpretation aligns with the biblical understanding that sin is a pervasive disease, affecting individuals and their descendants, and leading to spiritual separation and judgment.
### Summary
Tsᵉrûwʻâh (`{{H6871}}`) is a unique proper noun, serving as the name of Jeroboam I's mother, appearing only once in [[1 Kings 11:26]]. Its etymological root, tsāraʻ (`{{H6870}}`), signifies "to be leprous" or "to be stricken," rendering the name "the stricken one." While the text offers no direct commentary on the significance of her name for Zeruah herself, its connection to the pervasive biblical concept of *tsara'at* (`{{H6883}}`) — a severe skin affliction often associated with divine judgment and ritual impurity — is noteworthy. In the context of Jeroboam's subsequent actions, which led Israel into profound spiritual idolatry and schism, the name "Zeruah" may carry a subtle, symbolic weight, subtly foreshadowing the spiritual "striking" or "disease" that Jeroboam would inflict upon the northern kingdom. This offers an insightful, albeit implicit, theological commentary on the origins of a lineage that would lead Israel into deep spiritual defilement.
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