One lexicon links the name to a root for music, and others to a word for a mountain sheep.
About
King of Israel for seven days. He served King Elah as captain of half his chariots. He killed Elah in Tirzah while the king was drunk and took the throne. At once he destroyed all the house of Baasha, as the Lord had spoken by a prophet. When the troops encamped against Gibbethon heard of it, they made Omri, the captain of the army, king in the camp that same day. Omri besieged Tirzah and took it. Zimri went into the house of the king, burned it over himself, and died. Scripture says he did evil and walked in the way of Jeroboam. Jezebel later met Jehu with the name of Zimri and the charge of killing a master.
Relationships
OverthrewElahThe king he killed in Tirzah to take the throne
Overthrown byOmriArmy captain made king in the camp, who besieged him in Tirzah
Key Scripture AppearancesKJV
1 Kings 16:10
And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.1 Kings 16:10, KJV
1 Kings 16:12
Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,1 Kings 16:12, KJV
1 Kings 16:15
In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.1 Kings 16:15, KJV
1 Kings 16:18
And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king’s house, and burnt the king’s house over him with fire, and died,1 Kings 16:18, KJV
2 Kings 9:31
And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?2 Kings 9:31, KJV
See how Zimri connects to every other figure in Scripture.