2160. Zemirah
Lexical Summary
Zemirah: Song, Psalm

Original Word: זְמִירָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Zmiyrah
Pronunciation: zeh-mee-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (zem-ee-raw')
KJV: Zemira
NASB: Zemirah
Word Origin: [feminine of H2158 (זָמִיר זָמִר זְמִרָה - songs)]

1. song
2. Zemirah, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Zemira

Feminine of zamiyr; song; Zemirah, an Israelite -- Zemira.

see HEBREW zamiyr

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a Benjamite
NASB Translation
Zemirah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
זְמִירָה proper name, masculine a Benjamite, 1 Chronicles 7:8, ᵐ5 Ἀμαριας; ᵐ5A, ᵐ5L Ζαμαρια(ς).

Topical Lexicon
Name and Meaning

זְמִירָה (Zemirah) carries the sense of “song,” “music,” or “melody,” conveying an identity shaped by praise and worship.

Biblical Occurrence

1 Chronicles 7:8 lists Zemirah among “the sons of Becher,” a Benjaminite family line: “The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth”. This is the sole reference.

Historical and Genealogical Context

Chronicles, compiled after the exile, re-anchors Israel in its covenant heritage. By preserving even lesser-known descendants of Benjamin, the chronicler affirms that every branch of the covenant community still stands after judgment and restoration. Benjamin’s proximity to Jerusalem and its earlier royal associations (through Saul) heighten the tribe’s relevance in post-exilic worship life; Zemirah’s clan helped repopulate and re-legitimize the land.

Thematic Significance

1. Continuity of Praise

The very name “Song” embedded in Israel’s genealogical fabric highlights that worship is not an appendage but an inheritance, threaded from Miriam’s timbrel (Exodus 15:20) through David’s psalms and into the restored temple worship envisioned by Chronicles.

2. Worth of the Obscure

A single-verse life demonstrates that obscurity in the human record does not equal insignificance in God’s. The Lord “knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19) and records them in His book (Malachi 3:16).

3. Tribal Unity in Worship

With Levites leading temple music, Benjamin’s adjacent territory meant its clans—Zemirah’s included—could readily participate in corporate praise, showing that worship transcended tribal roles and integrated the whole nation.

Ministry Insights

• Family Praise Legacy: Christian households can emulate the Chronicler’s vision by treating worship as a family heritage, passing along songs of the faith to succeeding generations (Ephesians 5:19).

• Pastoral Record-Keeping: Faithful membership rolls and genealogies echo the chronicler’s diligence, underscoring shepherdly care for every believer (Acts 20:28).

• Encouragement for Hidden Servants: Those who labor without public acclaim can find solace in Zemirah’s recorded name; God remembers every note of service.

Christological Connections

Benjamin bordered Judah, the messianic tribe. The Benjaminite named “Song” anticipates the Savior who is both the Singer and the Song. Hebrews 2:12 cites Christ declaring, “I will sing Your praise,” and Revelation 5:9 shows the Lamb leading the redeemed in a new song. Zemirah’s meaning thus foreshadows the Messiah whose redemptive work elicits eternal praise.

Lessons for Today

1. Cultivate a personal and communal identity centered on praise.
2. Cherish every member of Christ’s body, seen or unseen (1 Corinthians 12:22).
3. Maintain careful spiritual and familial records as acts of covenant faithfulness.
4. Join the greater “Zemirah”—Jesus—in the everlasting song of redemption.

Zemirah may appear only once, yet his name sings across Scripture’s pages, reminding the church that every believer’s voice belongs in the chorus glorifying God.

Forms and Transliterations
זְמִירָ֡ה זמירה zə·mî·rāh zemiRah zəmîrāh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 7:8
HEB: וּבְנֵ֣י בֶ֗כֶר זְמִירָ֡ה וְיוֹעָ֡שׁ וֶ֠אֱלִיעֶזֶר
NAS: of Becher [were] Zemirah, Joash,
KJV: of Becher; Zemira, and Joash,
INT: the sons of Becher Zemirah Joash Eliezer

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2160
1 Occurrence


zə·mî·rāh — 1 Occ.

2159
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