Ziha צִיחָא

Male H6727G 2 books

Family of temple servants who returned from exile

Who is Ziha in the Bible?

Ziha was a family of temple servants, known as Nethinim, who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. The name appears in the official lists of returnees recorded in Ezra 2:43 and Nehemiah 7:46, where they are identified as "the children of Ziha." The Nethinim, meaning "given ones" or "dedicated ones," held a special role in assisting the Levites with the maintenance and service of the temple. The specific mention of the Ziha family in these restoration lists indicates they were a significant group among the temple servants. Their return was part of the broader effort to rebuild the temple and restore Jewish worship after the Babylonian exile.

Biography

Ziha was the name of a family of temple servants, also known as Nethinim, who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. They are mentioned in the lists of returnees in both Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7. The Nethinim were a group of people who were assigned to assist the Levites in the maintenance and service of the temple. The name "Nethinim" means "given ones" or "dedicated ones," indicating their special role in supporting the temple worship. The fact that the family of Ziha is specifically named in these lists suggests that they were a significant group among the temple servants. Their return to Jerusalem, along with the other exiles, was part of the effort to restore the temple and reestablish Jewish worship in the land.

In Scripture

2 biblical books ; 2 with study content
Ezra 1 verse
  • Ezra 2:43

    "The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,"

    Study Ezra →
Nehemiah 1 verse
  • Nehemiah 7:46

    "The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,"

    Study Nehemiah →

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew צִיחָא
Encyclopedia Article

Ziha

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

ef>; Ne 7:46) "the children (or sons) of Ziha." The Septuagint's Codex Vaticanus and Alexandrinus omit Ne 11:20 f; the Septuagint has Sial, Lucian Siaau; in Ne 7:46; the Septuagint Codex Vaticanus Sea; Codex Alexandrinus has Oiaa; Lucian has Soulai; in Ezr 2:43 the Septuagint's Codex Vaticanus has Southia; Codex Alexandrinus has Souaa; Lucian has Souddaei.

zik'-lag (tsiqelagh, tsiqelagh (2Sa 1:1), tsiqelagh (1Ch 12:1,20); usually in the Septuagint Sekelak, or Si