You know the song. Everyone knows the song. "Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he." If you grew up anywhere near a Sunday school, that earworm is probably permanently lodged in your brain. But here's the kicker: when you actually go to talk about the guy in a serious conversation, or maybe you’re reading the Gospel of Luke aloud, you realize you might not actually know how to say Zacchaeus correctly. It’s one of those names that looks like a mouthful of vowels and consonants fighting for dominance.
Is it "Zack-ee-us"? "Zack-ay-us"? Or are we all just making it up as we go?
Honestly, the way most English speakers say it is a far cry from the original Hebrew or Greek. That's okay. Language evolves. But if you want to sound like you actually know your biblical history—or if you just want to win a trivia night—getting the phonetics right matters. It’s about more than just sounds; it’s about the roots of the name itself.
The Standard English Pronunciation
Let's get the most common version out of the way first. In most American and British circles, the name is broken down into three distinct syllables.
za-KEE-uhs
The emphasis sits heavily on that middle syllable. Think of the "Za" like the start of "Zap." The "KEE" sounds exactly like the thing you use to unlock your front door. The "uhs" at the end is soft, almost a grunt.
Most people trip up because they see that double "c" and the "h" and think there should be a breathy sound in there. There isn't. In English, we treat that "cch" cluster basically like a hard "K" sound. It’s efficient. It’s easy. It’s also what you’ll hear in about 99% of church services in the Midwest.
Why the "ay" vs "ee" Debate Happens
Sometimes you’ll hear people say "Zack-AY-us." This usually happens in more formal liturgical settings or among people who are trying to bridge the gap between English and the Latin Zacchaeus. In Latin, that "ae" diphthong often takes on an "ay" or "eye" sound depending on the era of Latin you’re using.
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If you say "Zack-AY-us," you aren't wrong. You just sound a bit more old-school. It’s like the difference between saying "thee" and "you." One feels a bit more "Church of England," while the other feels like you're talking to a neighbor.
Looking Back at the Greek and Hebrew Roots
If we really want to get technical—and since you're reading this, you probably do—we have to look at the New Testament. The name appears in Luke 19. The Greek spelling is Zakchaios (Ζακχαῖος).
Now, Greek is a bit more melodic. The "ch" in the Greek version isn't a hard "K." It’s a chi, which is a voiceless velar fricative. Think of the sound in the Scottish word "loch" or the German "Bach." It’s a bit scratchy. A bit aspirated.
The Hebrew version of the name is even older. It comes from Zakkai, which means "pure" or "innocent." It’s a bit of a joke in the Bible, honestly. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. In first-century Jericho, tax collectors were considered about as "pure" as a puddle of mud.
In Hebrew, you’d say it more like za-KHYE.
Isn't it weird how we took a two-syllable Hebrew name, turned it into a three-syllable Greek name, and then mangled it into a four-syllable English one in some songs? It’s a linguistic telephone game that’s been running for 2,000 years.
Regional Quirks in Pronunciation
Go to different parts of the world, and the name shifts. In Spanish-speaking countries, he is Zaqueo. The "Z" is often soft (depending on the country), and the "qu" makes a hard "K" sound: sah-KAY-oh.
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In Italy, he’s Zaccheo.
The point is, there isn't one "divine" way to say it that trumps all others. If you're in a Bible study in Alabama, saying "za-KHYE-os" with a Greek rasp is probably going to get you some weird looks. You’ll look like you’re trying too hard. Context is everything.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest blunders is adding an extra "s" sound in the middle. I’ve heard people say "Zack-see-us." That "cch" is never an "S" sound. Never.
Another one is swallowing the ending. People get lazy and say "Zack-us." You lose the "ee" sound entirely. It makes it sound like you're talking about a brand of vacuum cleaner rather than a historical figure who climbed a sycamore tree.
- The "CH" Trap: Don't say "Zatch-ee-us." It's not like "church."
- The Stress: Don't put the stress on the first syllable. "ZACK-ee-us" sounds like a nickname for a frat brother named Zachary. Keep the weight on the "KEE."
How to Practice and Get It Right
If you have a public reading coming up, the best thing you can do is record yourself on your phone. It sounds cringy, I know. But listening back is the only way to hear if you’re rushing the vowels.
Try saying it five times fast. If your tongue gets tied, you’re overthinking the "cch." Just treat it like a "K."
Zacchaeus.
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Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus.
It should feel fluid. If you're still struggling, think of the name "Zachary" and just pivot at the end. Zach-ee-us.
Why Accuracy Actually Matters Here
You might think, "Who cares? He’s been dead for two millennia." But names carry weight. In the story of Zacchaeus, his name is a huge part of the narrative arc. He was a man whose name meant "Pure," yet he lived a life of perceived corruption. When Jesus calls him down from the tree, he’s calling him by that name.
Pronouncing it with a bit of intentionality shows a level of respect for the text and the culture it came from. It shows you’ve done the work.
Moving Forward With Confidence
At the end of the day, language is a tool for connection. If people understand who you're talking about, you've succeeded. But there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing the "why" behind the "how."
- Stick to za-KEE-uhs for general English settings.
- Use zack-AY-uhs if you want to sound a bit more formal or academic.
- Remember the Hebrew Zakkai if you want to understand the linguistic history.
Stop worrying about the double "c" and the "h." They are just there for decoration at this point in the English language. Focus on the rhythm of the syllables.
The next time that "wee little man" song comes up, or you're discussing the economic implications of first-century tax farming, you can drop the name with total confidence. You aren't just guessing anymore. You’ve got the phonetics down.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Listen to a pronunciation guide from a reputable source like the Oxford Biblical Studies Online if you want to hear the specific Greek inflection.
- Check the context of your audience before choosing between the "EE" and "AY" vowel sounds; match the room's level of formality.
- Practice the transition from the "K" sound to the "EE" sound to ensure it doesn't sound clipped or rushed.