Bathsheba
Pronounced bath-SHEE-buh
- Meaning
- "Daughter of the oath; Seventh daughter"
- Origin
- Hebrew
Bathsheba means "daughter of the oath" or "seventh daughter" in Hebrew. Her story with King David is one of the most complex and consequential narratives in Scripture — involving temptation, adultery, murder, repentance, and ultimately redemption. After David sinned with Bathsheba and arranged her husband Uriah's death, the prophet Nathan confronted him, leading to David's famous psalm of repentance (Psalm 51). The child born from their affair died, but God later blessed them with Solomon, who would become the wisest king of Israel. Bathsheba is listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:6), demonstrating God's ability to weave redemption from tragedy. She later played an important role in ensuring Solomon's succession to the throne, showing political wisdom and maternal devotion.
Spiritual meaning
Bathsheba's story demonstrates that God can redeem the most painful chapters of our lives. From a relationship born in sin came Solomon and ultimately the Messiah — proof that grace writes straight with crooked lines.
Related verses (KJV)
"And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him."
2 Samuel 12:24 (KJV) →"And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias."
Matthew 1:6 (KJV) →