"And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Zebedee Meaning in the Bible
Zebedee
boy
Zebedee means "Gift of God; My gift", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Zebedee appears in the King James Bible, and Matthew 4:21 is the passage most often tied to it. Zebedee models the faith of a father who releases his children to God's calling — his gift to the Lord became two pillars of the church.
Is Zebedee in the Bible?
Yes — Zebedee appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 4:21.
Pronunciation:/ZEB-eh-dee/
OriginHebrew
MeaningGift of God; My gift
What does Zebedee mean?
Zebedee is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Gift of God; My gift". Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman and father of the apostles James and John. When Jesus called his sons, they immediately left their father's boat to follow. Zebedee's willingness to release his sons to ministry speaks volumes about parental faith.
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What does Zebedee mean in the Bible?
Zebedee means "Gift of God; My gift" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman and father of the apostles James and John. When Jesus called his sons, they immediately left their father's boat to follow. Zebedee's willingness to release his sons to ministry speaks volumes about parental faith.
Where does Zebedee appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Zebedee is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Matthew 4:21. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."
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Which books of the Bible mention Zebedee?
Zebedee is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Zebedee?
Zebedee models the faith of a father who releases his children to God's calling — his gift to the Lord became two pillars of the church.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Zebedee:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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Hebrews 13:8 Commentary
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Hebrews 13:5 Commentary
In-depth study • Contentment & God's Presence
Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
Character
James, Son of Zebedee in the Bible
The First Martyr Apostle
Character
Shadrach in the Bible
Faithful in the Fiery Furnace
What names are related to Zebedee?
Names like Zebedee
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Gift of God; My gift" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Zebedee
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Eliana
girl
"My God has answered"
Zebedee & Eliana
Rebecca
girl
"To bind or captivate"
Zebedee & Rebecca
Abigail
girl
"Father of joy"
Zebedee & Abigail
Abijah
unisex
"My father is the LORD; The LORD is my father"
Zebedee & Abijah
Amaris
girl
"Promised by God; Given by God"
Zebedee & Amaris
Anna
girl
"Grace or favor"
Zebedee & Anna
Share the meaning of Zebedee
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Zebedee name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Zebedee appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 4:21.
Zebedee means "Gift of God; My gift." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Matthew 4:21, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Zebedee comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Gift of God; My gift." It appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 4:21.
Common questions about the name Zebedee
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Zebedee?
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 Zebedee?
You can read every verse where Zebedee 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.