Meaning of ZIMRI

"belonging to an antelope" (a) Son of Zerah and grandson of Judah (1 Chron. 2:6); in Joseph 7:1, 17, 18 he is named after Zabdi

(b) Prince of the tribe of Simeon. Guilty of having indulged in debauchery and idolatry, he was put to death (Num. 25:14; 1 Mac. 2:26).

(c) Benjamite, descendant of Jonathan the son of Saul (1 Chron. 8:36; 9:42).

(d) Commander of half of the war chariots of Elah, king of Israel. He murdered his ruler, annihilating, according to the prophecy of Jehovah, the entire house of Baasha, and proclaiming himself king of Tirzah.

Zimri reigned only seven days. Israel proclaimed Omri king, who marched against the usurper and took possession of Tirzah.

Seeing that his capital had been taken, Zimri burned down his palace and committed suicide. These events took place in the year 885 BC. (1 Kings 16:8-20).

It has been assumed that Zimri was a descendant of Saul (1 Chron. 8:36) and that therefore he wanted to seize the throne. (e) Town only known to Jer. 25:25; perhaps descendant of Zimram.