Pronunciation: [zˈaʃɪəs] (IPA) 
The name "Zacheus" is spelled with a "z", a "ch" and two "e"s. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /zəˈkiːəs/. The "z" makes the /z/ sound, the "a" makes the schwa sound /ə/, the "ch" makes the /tʃ/ sound, and the two "e"s make the /iː/ sound. The final "us" is pronounced as one syllable: /əs/. Overall, "Zacheus" is a unique name with an interesting combination of sounds.
Zacheus is a name of Hebrew origin that can be found in biblical and religious texts, particularly in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It derives from the Hebrew name "Zakkai" or "Zaccai," meaning "pure" or "innocent." In the Bible, Zacheus is known for being a tax collector, specifically a chief tax collector, in the town of Jericho during the time of Jesus Christ.
Zacheus gained notoriety due to his profession, as tax collectors were often despised figures in society due to their association with Roman authorities and perceived exploitation of their own people. He is famous for his encounter with Jesus, where he climbed a sycamore-fig tree to catch a glimpse of him passing through Jericho. Jesus, upon reaching the tree, called Zacheus down and invited himself to the tax collector's house. This encounter had a profound impact on Zacheus, prompting him to repent and pledge to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had defrauded, a radical display of his change of heart.
The story of Zacheus has become synonymous with repentance, forgiveness, and the transformative power of faith in Christian teachings. The name Zacheus is often used to refer to individuals who have undergone a significant personal transformation, turning away from a life of wrongdoing and embracing a path of righteousness and virtue.
The name "Zacheus" has its roots in biblical and Greek origins. It is derived from the Greek name "Ζακχαῖος" (Zakchaios), which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name "זָכַי" (Zakkai).
In the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 19:1-10), Zacheus is mentioned as a wealthy tax collector who climbs a tree in order to see Jesus passing through his town. Jesus calls him down and decides to stay at his house, leading to a transformation in Zacheus' behavior.
The Greek name Zakchaios, like many biblical names, was later adopted and used in various languages, resulting in different variations of the name across different cultures.
