Zebedee is a name found in the New Testament, referring to the father of the apostles James and John. It derives from the Greek form Ζεβεδαῖος (Zebedaios), which in turn comes from the Hebrew origin Zebadiah, a prophetic name meaning "Yahweh has given" (composed of the elements zavaḏ meaning "to give" and yah referencing God).In the synoptic Gospels, Zebedee is portrayed as a Galilean fisherman of apparent means. He is present in two notable scenes: when Jesus calls his sons James and John from their fishing boat (Matthew 4:21–22; Mark 1:19–20), and later at the crucifixion, where his wife (traditionally identified as Salome) is mentioned among the women witnesses (compare Mark 15:40 with Matthew 27:56). The Catholic Encyclopedia suggests that Salome and the mother of Zebedee's children are the same person. Beyond these accounts, little is known about Zebedee himself, but his role as the father of two prominent disciples has ensured his name’s enduring recognition.While Zebedee is closely tied to Christian tradition, its use beyond scripture is rare, though forms such as the English diminutive Zeb and the Finnish Seppo (a contraction) have emerged.Meaning: Yahweh has givenOrigin: Greek (from Hebrew Zebadiah)Type: Biblical, patronymicUsage: English Bibles, historical Christian contexts