Zattu - id., one whose descendants returned from the Captivity with Zerubbabel ( Ezra 2:8; Neh. 7:13); probably the same as Zatthu.

Zaza - plenty, a descendant of Judah (1 Chr. 2:33).

Zeal - an earnest temper; may be enlightened ( Num. 25:11-13; 2 Cor. 7:11;2 Cor 9:2), or ignorant and misdirected ( Rom. 10:2; Phil. 3:6). As a Christian grace, it must be grounded on right principles and directed to right ends ( Gal. 4:18). It is sometimes ascribed to God (2 Kings 19:31; Isa. 9:7; Isa 37:32; Ezek. 5:13).

Zealots - a sect of Jews which originated with Judas the Gaulonite ( Acts 5:37). They refused to pay tribute to the Romans, on the ground that this was a violation of the principle that God was the only king of Israel. They rebelled against the Romans, but were soon scattered, and became a lawless band of mere brigands. They were afterwards called Sicarii, from their use of the sica, i.e., the Roman dagger.

Zebadiah - gift of Jehovah. (1.) A son of Asahel, Joab's brother (1 Chr. 27:7).

(2.) A Levite who took part as one of the teachers in the system of national education instituted by Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 17:7,2 Chr. 17:8).

(3.) The son of Ishmael, "the ruler of the house of Judah in all the king's matters" (2 Chr. 19:8-11).

(4.) A son of Beriah (1 Chr. 8:15).

(5.) A Korhite porter of the Lord's house (1 Chr. 26:2). Three or four others of this name are also mentioned.

Zebah - man-killer, or sacrifice, one of the two kings who led the vast host of the Midianites who invaded the land of Israel, and over whom Gideon gained a great and decisive victory (Judg. 8). Zebah and Zalmunna had succeeded in escaping across the Jordan with a remnant of the Midianite host, but were overtaken at Karkor, probably in the Hauran, and routed by Gideon. The kings were taken alive and brought back across the Jordan; and confessing that they had personally taken part in the slaughter of Gideon's brothers, they were put to death (comp. 1 Sam. 12:11; Isa. 10:26; Ps. 83:11).

Zebaim - ( Ezra 2:57; Neh. 7:59). "Pochereth of Zebaim" should be read as in the Revised Version, "Pochereth-hazzebaim" ("snaring the antelopes"), probably the name of some hunter.

Zebedee - a Galilean fisherman, the husband of Salome (q.v.), and the father of James and John, two of our Lord's disciples ( Matt. 4:21;Matt 27:56; Mark 15:40). He seems to have been a man of some position in Capernaum, for he had two boats ( Luke 5:4) and "hired servants" ( Mark 1:20) of his own. No mention is made of him after the call of his two sons by Jesus.

Zeboim - gazelles or roes. (1.) One of the "five cities of the plain" of Sodom, generally coupled with Admah ( Gen. 10:19;Gen 14:2; Deut. 29:23; Hos. 11:8). It had a king of its own (Shemeber), and was therefore a place of some importance. It was destroyed along with the other cities of the plain.

(2.) A valley or rugged glen somewhere near Gibeah in Benjamin (1 Sam. 13:18). It was probably the ravine now bearing the name Wady Shakh-ed-Dub'a, or "ravine of the hyena," north of Jericho.

(3.) A place mentioned only in Neh. 11:34, inhabited by the Benjamites after the Captivity.

Zebudah - given, the wife of Josiah and mother of Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:36).

Zebul - habitation, the governor of Shechem under Abimelech ( Judg. 9:28,Judg. 9:30,Judg. 9:36). He informed his master of the intention of the people of Shechem to transfer their allegiance to the Hivite tribe of Hamor. This led to Abimelech's destroying the city, when he put its entire population to the sword, and sowed the ruins with salt ( Judg. 9:28-45).

Zebulonite - the designation of Elon, the judge who belonged to the tribe of Zebulun ( Judg. 12:11,Judg. 12:12).

Zebulun - dwelling, the sixth and youngest son of Jacob and Leah ( Gen. 30:20). Little is known of his personal history. He had three sons ( Gen 46:14).

Zebulun, Lot of - in Galilee, to the north of Issachar and south of Asher and Naphtali ( Josh. 19:10-16), and between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean. According to ancient prophecy this part of Galilee enjoyed a large share of our Lord's public ministry ( Isa. 9:1,Isa. 9:2; Matt. 4:12-16).

Zebulun, Tribe of - numbered at Sinai ( Num. 1:31) and before entering Canaan ( Num 26:27). It was one of the tribes which did not drive out the Canaanites, but only made them tributary ( Judg. 1:30). It took little interest in public affairs. It responded, however, readily to the summons of Gideon ( Judg 6:35), and afterwards assisted in enthroning David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:33,1 Chr. 12:40). Along with the other northern tribes, Zebulun was carried away into the land of Assyria by Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:29).

In Deborah's song the words, "Out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer" ( Judg. 5:14) has been rendered in the R.V., "They that handle the marshal's staff." This is a questionable rendering. "The word sopher ('scribe' or 'writer') defines the word shebhet ('rod' or 'pen') with which it is conjoined. The 'rod of the scribe' on the Assyrian monuments was the stylus of wood or metal, with the help of which the clay tablet was engraved, or the papyrus inscribed with characters. The scribe who wielded it was the associate and assistant of the 'lawgivers.'" (Sayce).

Zechariah - Jehovah is renowned or remembered. (1.) A prophet of Judah, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Like Ezekiel, he was of priestly extraction. He describes himself ( Judg 1:1) as "the son of Berechiah." In Ezra 5:1 and 6:14 he is called "the son of Iddo," who was properly his grandfather. His prophetical career began in the second year of Darius (B.C. 520), about sixteen years after the return of the first company from exile. He was contemporary with Haggai ( Ezra 5:1).

His book consists of two distinct parts, (1) chapters 1 to 8, inclusive, and (2) 9 to the end. It begins with a preface ( Ezra 1:1-6), which recalls the nation's past history, for the purpose of presenting a solemn warning to the present generation. Then follows a series of eight visions ( Ezra 1:7-6:8), succeeding one another in one night, which may be regarded as a symbolical history of Israel, intended to furnish consolation to the returned exiles and stir up hope in their minds. The symbolical action, the crowning of Joshua (6:9-15), describes how the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of God's Christ.

Chapters 7 and 8, delivered two years later, are an answer to the question whether the days of mourning for the destruction of the city should be any longer kept, and an encouraging address to the people, assuring them of God's presence and blessing.

The second part of the book (ch. 9-14) bears no date. It is probable that a considerable interval separates it from the first part. It consists of two burdens.

The first burden (ch. 9-11) gives an outline of the course of God's providential dealings with his people down to the time of the Advent.

The second burden (ch. 12-14) points out the glories that await Israel in "the latter day", the final conflict and triumph of God's kingdom.

(2.) The son or grandson of Jehoiada, the high priest in the times of Ahaziah and Joash. After the death of Jehoiada he boldly condemned both the king and the people for their rebellion against God (2 Chr. 24:20), which so stirred up their resentment against him that at the king's commandment they stoned him with stones, and he died "in the court of the house of the Lord" 2 Chr 24:21). Christ alludes to this deed of murder in Matt. 23:35, Luke 11:51. (See ZACHARIAS [2].)

(3.) A prophet, who had "understanding in the seeing of God," in the time of Uzziah, who was much indebted to him for his wise counsel (2 Chr. 26:5).

Besides these, there is a large number of persons mentioned in Scripture bearing this name of whom nothing is known.

(4.) One of the chiefs of the tribe of Reuben (1 Chr. 5:7).

(5.) One of the porters of the tabernacle (1 Chr. 9:21).

(6.) 1 Chr. 9:37.

(7.) A Levite who assisted at the bringing up of the ark from the house of Obededom (1 Chr. 15:20-24).

(8.) A Kohathite Levite (1 Chr. 24:25).

(9.) A Merarite Levite (1 Chr. 27:21).

(10.) The father of Iddo (1 Chr. 27:21).

(11.) One who assisted in teaching the law to the people in the time of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 17:7).

(12.) A Levite of the sons of Asaph (2 Chr. 20:14).

(13.) One of Jehoshaphat's sons (2 Chr. 21:2).

(14.) The father of Abijah, who was the mother of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29:1).

(15.) One of the sons of Asaph (2 Chr. 29:13).

(16.) One of the "rulers of the house of God" (2 Chr. 35:8).

(17.) A chief of the people in the time of Ezra, who consulted him about the return from captivity ( Ezra 8:16); probably the same as mentioned in Neh. 8:4,

(18.) Neh. 11:12.

(19.) Neh. 12:16.

(20.) Neh. 12:35, Neh. 12:41.

(21.) Isa. 8:2.

Zedad - side; sloping place, a town in the north of Palestine, near Hamath ( Num. 34:8; Ezek. 47:15). It has been identified with the ruins of Sudud, between Emesa (Hums) and Baalbec, but that is uncertain.

Zedekiah - righteousness of Jehovah. (1.) The last king of Judah. He was the third son of Josiah, and his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah, and hence he was the brother of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31;2 Kings 24:17,2 Kings 23:18). His original name was Mattaniah; but when Nebuchadnezzar placed him on the throne as the successor to Jehoiachin he changed his name to Zedekiah. The prophet Jeremiah was his counsellor, yet "he did evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 Kings 24:19,2 Kings 24:20; Jer. 52:2, Jer. 52:3). He ascended the throne at the age of twenty-one years. The kingdom was at that time tributary to Nebuchadnezzar; but, despite the strong remonstrances of Jeremiah and others, as well as the example of Jehoiachin, he threw off the yoke of Babylon, and entered into an alliance with Hophra, king of Egypt. This brought up Nebuchadnezzar, "with all his host" (2 King 25:1), against Jerusalem. During this siege, which lasted about eighteen months, "every worst woe befell the devoted city, which drank the cup of God's fury to the dregs" (2 Kings 25:3; Lam. 4:4, Lam. 4:5, Lam. 4:10). The city was plundered and laid in ruins. Zedekiah and his followers, attempting to escape, were made captive and taken to Riblah. There, after seeing his own children put to death, his own eyes were put out, and, being loaded with chains, he was carried captive (B.C. 588) to Babylon (2 Kings 25:1-7; 2 Chr. 36:12; Jer. 32:4, Jer. 32:5; Jer 34:2, Jer. 32:3; Jer 39:1-7; Jer 52:4-11; Ezek. 12:12), where he remained a prisoner, how long is unknown, to the day of his death.

After the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuzaraddan was sent to carry out its complete destruction. The city was razed to the ground. Only a small number of vinedressers and husbandmen were permitted to remain in the land ( Jer. 52:16). Gedaliah, with a Chaldean guard stationed at Mizpah, ruled over Judah (2 Kings 25:22,2 Kings 25:24; jer. 40:1, jer. 40:2, jer. 40:5, jer. 40:6).

(2.) The son of Chenaanah, a false prophet in the days of Ahab (1 Kings 22:11,1 Kings 22:24; 2 Chr. 18:10,2 Chr. 18:23).

(3.) The son of Hananiah, a prince of Judah in the days of Jehoiakim ( Jer. 36:12).

Zeeb - the wolf, one of the two leaders of the great Midianite host which invaded Israel and was utterly routed by Gideon. The division of that host, which attempted to escape across the Jordan, under Oreb and Zeeb, was overtaken by the Ephraimites, who, in a great battle, completely vanquished them, their leaders being taken and slain ( Judg. 7:25; Ps. 83:11; Isa. 10:26).

Zelah - slope; side, a town in Benjamin, where Saul and his son Jonathan were buried (2 Sam. 21:14). It was probably Saul's birthplace.

Zelek - cleft, an Ammonite; one of David's valiant men (2 Sam. 23:37).

Zelophehad - first-born, of the tribe of Manasseh, and of the family of Gilead; died in the wilderness. Having left no sons, his daughters, concerned lest their father's name should be "done away from among his family," made an appeal to Moses, who, by divine direction, appointed it as "a statute of judgment" in Israel that daughters should inherit their father's portion when no sons were left ( Num. 27:1-11). But that the possession of Zelophehad might not pass away in the year of jubilee from the tribe to which he belonged, it was ordained by Moses that his daughters should not marry any one out of their father's tribe; and this afterwards became a general law (Num. 36).

Zelotes - ( Luke 6:15). See SIMON ; ZEALOTS.