The Hebrew name Ben-Cheçed, represented by H1136, literally means son of kindness. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. This term is used specifically as a proper name to identify an Israelite, "the son of Hesed."
The single biblical occurrence of H1136 is in a list of administrative officers. In this context, Ben-Cheçed is identified as an official whose jurisdiction included Aruboth, Sochoh, and "all the land of Hepher" 1 Kings 4:10. His inclusion in this record highlights his role within the organizational structure of the kingdom.
Several related words provide context for the identity and role of Ben-Cheçed:
- H2618 Cheçed (Hesed): This name, meaning "favor," identifies the father of the individual. The text explicitly refers to him as "The son of Hesed" 1 Kings 4:10.
- H2660 Chêpher (Hepher): This refers to a location, the "land of Hepher," which was part of the territory that Ben-Cheçed administered 1 Kings 4:10.
- H776 'erets (land): This word specifies the nature of the territory under Ben-Cheçed's authority, describing it as a land or country 1 Kings 4:10.
While the term H1136 itself carries limited theological weight, its context offers some points of significance.
- Administrative Record: The appearance of Ben-Cheçed in the list of officials demonstrates the detailed and organized administration of the Israelite kingdom, which included assigning specific regions to named individuals 1 Kings 4:10.
- Genealogical Identity: The use of a patronymic ("son of Hesed") is a common biblical method for establishing a person's identity and lineage within the community.
- Implied Virtue: The name's literal meaning, "son of kindness," points to a positive personal attribute, although the narrative does not provide any further details about his character.
In summary, H1136 is the proper name Ben-Cheçed, appearing once to identify a specific Israelite official. His function was purely administrative, overseeing a designated territory. The name's primary role in scripture is historical and genealogical, serving as a record of an individual within the kingdom's structure rather than as a source of theological teaching.
TRV