"And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock... and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Rizpah Meaning in the Bible
Rizpah
girl
Rizpah means "Hot stone; Glowing coal", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Rizpah appears in the King James Bible, and 2 Samuel 21:10 is the passage most often tied to it. Rizpah — a 'glowing coal' — burned with fierce maternal love that refused to be extinguished. Her months-long vigil teaches that persistent, sacrificial love can move even kings to act justly.
Is Rizpah in the Bible?
Yes — Rizpah appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 21:10.
Pronunciation:/RIZ-puh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningHot stone; Glowing coal
What does Rizpah mean?
Rizpah is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "Hot stone; Glowing coal". Rizpah means "hot stone" or "glowing coal" in Hebrew. She was a concubine of King Saul whose extraordinary act of maternal devotion is one of the most moving stories in the Old Testament.
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What does Rizpah mean in the Bible?
Rizpah means "Hot stone; Glowing coal" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Rizpah means "hot stone" or "glowing coal" in Hebrew. She was a concubine of King Saul whose extraordinary act of maternal devotion is one of the most moving stories in the Old Testament.
When David handed over seven of Saul's descendants to the Gibeonites to be executed in atonement for Saul's broken covenant, two of them were Rizpah's sons. After their deaths, Rizpah set up a vigil on the rock where their bodies hung, protecting them from birds and wild animals day and night, from barley harvest until the rains came — a period of several months.
When David heard of Rizpah's faithful vigil, he was moved to properly bury the remains of Saul, Jonathan, and the seven executed men. Rizpah's fierce, unwavering love — maintaining a months-long vigil — shamed a king into doing the right thing.
Where does Rizpah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Rizpah is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with 2 Samuel 21:10. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And after that God was intreated for the land."
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Which books of the Bible mention Rizpah?
Rizpah is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Rizpah?
Rizpah — a 'glowing coal' — burned with fierce maternal love that refused to be extinguished. Her months-long vigil teaches that persistent, sacrificial love can move even kings to act justly.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Rizpah:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
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What names are related to Rizpah?
Names like Rizpah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Hot stone; Glowing coal" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Rizpah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Rizpah
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Rizpah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Rizpah appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 21:10.
Rizpah means "Hot stone; Glowing coal." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 2 Samuel 21:10, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Rizpah comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Hot stone; Glowing coal." It appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Samuel 21:10.
Common questions about the name Rizpah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Rizpah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Rizpah?
You can read every verse where Rizpah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.