Zehava

Zehava is a Hebrew feminine given name derived from the word "zeh" which means "this." The full phrase in Hebrew is "zeh avit malkenu," meaning "this is our mother, our Queen." Thus, Zehava signifies royalty and motherhood. The name Zehava has a rich history rooted in Jewish tradition. It was the name of Queen Sheba's mother in Midrash Tehillim, an ancient collection of Jewish interpretations on the Book of Psalms. According to this tradition, Zehava was a wise woman who taught her daughter, the queen, about Judaism. The name gained further significance during the Second Temple period when it was used as one of the names inscribed on the Arch of Zehava, a monumental gate in the Temple complex in Jerusalem. This arch was dedicated by Queen Helena of Adiabene, who converted to Judaism and is believed to have been named after her mother, Zehava. Today, Zehava is still used as a given name among Jewish communities around the world, carrying with it the historical connotations of wisdom, royalty, and devotion. It is often chosen by parents seeking a meaningful name with deep roots in Jewish heritage.