Lexical Definition
צְרוּיָה Tsᵉrûwyâh (tser-oo-yaw') Zeruiah N:N-F-P
feminine passive participle from the same as צְרִי; wounded
Zeruiah.
- § Zeruiah = "balsam"
- Tserujah, an Israelitess
1) sister of David and mother of the 3 leading heroes of David's army-Abishai, Joab, and Asahel
Brown-Driver-Briggs
צְרוּיָה proper name, feminine Σαρουια: mother of Abishai, Joab and Asahel; — ׳צ 1Sam 26:6 +, צְרֻיָה 2Sam 14:1; 2Sam 16:10; 2Sam 23:37 — according to 1Chr 2:16 a she was David's sister; called אֵם יוֺאָב 2Sam 17:25 elsewhere after construct בֶּןֿ (בְּנֵי): ׳בֶּןצֿ of Abishai 1Sam 26:6; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 18:2; 2Sam 19:22*; 2Sam 21:17; 2Sam 1:12 of Joab 2Sam 2:13; 2Sam 8:16 = 1Chr 18:15; 2Sam 14:1; 2Sam 23:18 and v2Sam 23:37 = 1Chr 11:39; 1Kgs 1:7; 1Kgs 2:5; 1Kgs 2:22; 1Chr 11:6; 1Chr 26:28; 1Chr 27:24 plural of all three 2Sam 2:18; 1Chr 2:16 Abishai and Joab 2Sam 3:39; 2Sam 16:10; 2Sam 19:23*.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Samuel | 26:6 |
| 2 Samuel | 1:12 · 2:13 · 2:18 · 3:39 · 8:16 · 14:1 · 16:9 · 16:10 · 17:25 · 18:2 · 19:22* · 19:23* · 21:17 · 23:18 · 23:37 |
| 1 Kings | 1:7 · 2:5 · 2:22 |
| 1 Chronicles | 2:16 · 11:6 · 11:39 · 18:15 · 26:28 · 27:24 |
Profile
Female • Sister of David • Sister of David; mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel
Woman living at the time of United Monarchy
Zeruiah, David's sister, was the mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, who were among David's mighty men and military leaders (1Sa.26.6; 2Sa.2.13,18; 3.39; 8.16; 14.1; 16.9,10; 17.25; 18.2; 19.21,22; 21.17; 23.18,37; 1Ki.1.7; 2.5,22; 1Ch.2.16,16; 11.6,39; 18.12,15; 26.28; 27.24).
- A woman living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.26.6;
- only referred to as Zeruiah צְרוּיָה;
- daughter of Jesse יִשַׁי and Nahash נָחָשׁ;
- a sister of David דָּוִד, Eliab אֱלִיאָב, Abinadab אֲבִינָדָב, Nethanel נְתַנְאֵל, Raddai רַדַּי, Ozem אֹצֶם, Abigail אֲבִיגַיִל and Elihu אֱלִיהוּ, Shimeah שִׁמְעָה.
Zeruiah was the sister of King David and the mother of three of his most prominent military leaders: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Her sons played significant roles throughout David's reign, both in military campaigns and in political matters. Joab served as the commander of David's army, while Abishai and Asahel were also known for their bravery and skill in battle. Zeruiah's sons were fiercely loyal to David, though their actions sometimes brought them into conflict with the king. For example, Joab murdered Abner and Amasa, two of David's rivals, without the king's consent. Despite these tensions, David recognized the importance of Zeruiah's sons in establishing and maintaining his kingdom. The fact that Zeruiah is consistently mentioned as their mother highlights her significance in the family and her influence on her sons' roles in David's court.
All entries for Zeruiah: צְרוּיָה ☩ צְרוּיָה