Zoheth is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Zoheth was a descendant of Judah, mentioned in the genealogies recorded in 1 Chronicles. He appears in a single verse of Scripture, 1 Chronicles 4:20, which lists the sons of Shimon: “And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Benzoheth.” From this brief notice, Zoheth is identified as a son of Ishi, and therefore a member of the tribe of Judah.
The setting of this passage is a genealogical record. The opening chapters of 1 Chronicles trace the family lines of Israel, with particular attention to Judah, the tribe from which David and, ultimately, the Messiah would come. Within this registry, the Chronicler lists various clans and families, including the descendants of Shimon and Ishi. Zoheth is named among them as one of two sons of Ishi, alongside his brother Benzoheth.
Scripture records nothing further about Zoheth. No deeds, words, or personal characteristics are attributed to him. He appears only in this one list, and the text moves on without comment. What is said of him is simply his name, his father, and his place within the broader family of Judah. His inclusion in the genealogy is the whole of his biblical witness.
The Name
The Hebrew name Zoheth is not one whose meaning is clearly established. Unlike some biblical names that carry transparent meanings—such as “Judah” (praise) or “Ishi” (my husband, or my salvation)—the root and sense of Zoheth are uncertain. Some have tentatively connected it to a verb meaning “to seize” or “to take hold,” but this is not firmly recoverable, and no meaning can be stated with confidence. It is best to say plainly that the meaning of this name is obscure, and Scripture itself offers no interpretation of it.
A Closing Thought
Most of us will never be remembered by crowds or chronicled by historians. Our lives may amount, in the eyes of the world, to a single line in a long list. Yet Zoheth’s brief appearance in Scripture is not an accident. He belonged to a family, a tribe, and a story far larger than himself—the story of God’s faithfulness to His people across generations. You may feel like a name in someone else’s list, but you are known by God, and your place in His family is written down and never forgotten.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 1 Chronicles 4:20 — And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Benzoheth.