Zeruah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the divided monarchy of Israel. Her name, which means "leprous" or "stricken" in Hebrew, is associated with a significant period in Israel's history, though she herself is not a central character in the biblical narrative.

Biblical Reference:

Zeruah is mentioned in 1 Kings 11:26, where she is identified as the mother of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Now Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zeredah whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, was a servant of Solomon; and he lifted up his hand against the king."

Context and Significance:

Zeruah's mention in the Bible is brief, yet it provides important context for understanding the background of Jeroboam, a key figure in Israel's history. As a widow, Zeruah raised Jeroboam in the region of Zeredah, located in the territory of Ephraim. This detail highlights the socio-political environment from which Jeroboam emerged, as well as the challenges faced by widows in ancient Israelite society.

Jeroboam's rebellion against King Solomon and subsequent rise to power as the ruler of the northern tribes of Israel marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative. The division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah had lasting religious and political implications, and Zeruah, as Jeroboam's mother, is indirectly connected to these events.

Cultural and Theological Insights:

From a cultural perspective, Zeruah's status as a widow is noteworthy. In ancient Israel, widows often faced economic and social hardships, relying on their children or extended family for support. Zeruah's ability to raise a son who would become a significant leader suggests resilience and strength, qualities that are often celebrated in biblical accounts of women.

Theologically, Zeruah's mention underscores the theme of God's sovereignty in the rise and fall of leaders. Despite her seemingly minor role, her son Jeroboam's ascent to power was part of the divine plan to fulfill the prophecy given to Ahijah the Shilonite, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:29-39. This prophecy foretold the division of the kingdom due to Solomon's idolatry and disobedience.

Conclusion:

While Zeruah herself does not play a prominent role in the biblical narrative, her mention provides valuable insight into the familial and social background of Jeroboam. Her account, though brief, is a reminder of the intricate tapestry of individuals and events that shape the history of God's people as recorded in the Scriptures.Zeruah

leprous; wasp; hornet

Zeruah

(full breasted), the mother of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. (1 Kings 11:26) (B.C. 973.)

Stricken, mother of Jeroboam, the first king of the ten tribes (1 Kings 11:26). ZERUAH

ze-roo'-a (tseru`ah, perhaps "leprous"): Mother of King Jeroboam I (1 Kings 11:26), the Septuagint, Codex Vaticanus and Lucian omit the name in 1 Kings 11:26, but the long the Septuagint after Massoretic Text of 12:24 reads (12:24b): "And there was a man of the hill-country of Ephraim, a servant of Solomon, and his name was Jeroboam, and the name of his mother was Sareisa (Septuagint has Sareisa), a harlot."

See ZARETHAN.

6871. Tseruah -- mother of Jeroboam
... 6870, 6871. Tseruah. 6872 . mother of Jeroboam. Transliteration: Tseruah Phonetic
Spelling: (tser-oo-aw') Short Definition: Zeruah. ... Zeruah. ...
/hebrew/6871.htm - 6k

The New Garment Bent
... 'And Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose
mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

Zeruah (1 Occurrence)
... 11:26). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZERUAH. ze-roo'-a ... See ZARETHAN.
Multi-Version Concordance Zeruah (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 11 ...
/z/zeruah.htm - 7k

Zeru'ah (1 Occurrence)
Zeru'ah. Zeruah, Zeru'ah. Zerubbabel . Multi-Version Concordance Zeru'ah (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Zeruah, Zeru'ah. Zerubbabel . Reference Bible.
/z/zeru'ah.htm - 6k

Zer'edah (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant
of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his ...
/z/zer'edah.htm - 6k

Zeredah (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:26 Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of
Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his hand ...
/z/zeredah.htm - 7k

Zeror (1 Occurrence)

/z/zeror.htm - 7k

Zereda (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 11:26 Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of
Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his hand ...
/z/zereda.htm - 7k

Nebat (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:26 Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of
Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his hand ...
/n/nebat.htm - 15k

Jerobo'am (92 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant
of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his ...
/j/jerobo'am.htm - 32k

Rebelled (61 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:26 Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of
Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his hand ...
/r/rebelled.htm - 25k

Ephrathite (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's
servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his ...
/e/ephrathite.htm - 7k

Who was King Jeroboam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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