Girl · Hebrew · Old Testament

Tirzah

Q: Is Tirzah a biblical name?

Yes. Tirzah appears in the Old Testament. Zelophehad died in the wilderness leaving no sons, only five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah. Under the custom of the day, this meant their father's name and inheritance would simply vanish from Israel.

TEER-zuh · from Tirtzah · means “Delight, favor, she is pleasing”

Tirzah is a Hebrew name meaning "delight" or "she is pleasing." She was one of the five daughters of Zelophehad who boldly petitioned Moses for their father's inheritance, a request God himself declared right, changing Israel's inheritance law for daughters (Numbers 27).

Courage Wisdom Hope

“"What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives."”
— Numbers 27:7 (NIV)

The story behind the name

Zelophehad died in the wilderness leaving no sons, only five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah. Under the custom of the day, this meant their father's name and inheritance would simply vanish from Israel.

The sisters approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting, asking why their father's name should disappear just because he had no son (Numbers 27:1-4). Moses brought their case directly to the Lord.

God's answer was clear and immediate: "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right" (Numbers 27:7). The law was changed because these sisters spoke up. A daughter named Tirzah carries a name of delight and a legacy of courage that helped shape justice for generations after her.

A blessing to pray over Tirzah

Lord, give this daughter Tirzah's courage to speak up for what is right, and let her life be pleasing and delightful in Your sight. May she help make things fair for those who come after her. Amen.