Boy · Hebrew · New Testament

Zacchaeus

za-KEE-us · from Zakkai · means “Pure, innocent, righteous”

Zacchaeus is a Hebrew name meaning "pure" or "righteous," carrying a touch of irony in his story. He was a wealthy, despised tax collector in Jericho who climbed a sycamore tree just to see Jesus, and left that encounter a transformed man (Luke 19:1-10).

“Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."”

The story behind the name

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, wealthy and widely despised for collaborating with Rome and likely for the extra he skimmed off his neighbors. Short in stature and unable to see over the crowd gathered around Jesus, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree, willing to look foolish just to catch a glimpse.

Jesus stopped beneath that very tree and called Zacchaeus by name, inviting himself to stay at his house, a scandal to the crowd who muttered that Jesus had gone to be the guest of a sinner. But Zacchaeus came down at once, filled with joy, and something in him broke open.

Zacchaeus announced on the spot that he would give half his possessions to the poor and repay four times over anyone he had cheated. Jesus declared that salvation had come to his house that day (Luke 19:9-10). A boy named Zacchaeus carries a name of purity restored, and a story of how one encounter with grace can turn a whole life around.

Middle names that sing with Zacchaeus

Chosen for rhythm and meanings that speak to each other.

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