Arza אַרְצָא
Steward of King Elah's household in Tirzah
Who is Arza in the Bible?
Arza was the steward of King Elah's household in Tirzah during the divided monarchy of Israel (1 Kings 16:9). He appears in Scripture as a minor but notable figure in one of Israel's most tumultuous periods, when King Elah ruled briefly as the son of Baasha. While Elah was drinking and becoming drunk in Arza's house, the king's servant Zimri, who commanded half of Israel's chariot forces, conspired against and assassinated Elah. Though Arza himself was not directly involved in the conspiracy, his house became the setting for this pivotal moment in Israel's history. His significance lies in the fact that his household was where a king fell, marking the violent end of Elah's reign and the beginning of Zimri's brief seizure of power, which ultimately fulfilled the prophecy against Baasha's dynasty due to his wickedness.
Biography
Arza was the steward of the household of Elah, king of Israel. Elah was the son of Baasha and became king in the twenty-sixth year of Asa, king of Judah. However, Elah's reign was short-lived. While Elah was drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza in Tirzah, his servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him and killed him. This fulfilled the prophecy against Baasha's house due to his evil ways.
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 16:9
"However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אַרְצָא |