The Hebrew name Bath-Shûwaʻ, represented by H1340, is defined as daughter of wealth. Formed from the words for daughter, H1323, and wealth, this name is also noted as being the same as Bath-sheba. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses, where it identifies key maternal figures in the lineage of Israel.
In the biblical narrative, H1340 is used to identify two distinct women within the genealogies of 1 Chronicles. In one instance, the name refers to the Canaanitess wife of Judah, who is called the daughter of Shua and was the mother of his sons Er, Onan, and Shelah 1 Chronicles 2:3. The name also appears as Bathshua, the daughter of Ammiel, who was the mother of four of King David's sons, including Solomon 1 Chronicles 3:5.
Several related words are central to the context in which H1340 appears:
- H1323 bath (a daughter): This word forms the first part of the name Bath-shua. It is used broadly to denote female lineage, as seen when God promises to pour out His spirit on both sons and daughters Joel 2:28.
- H1121 bên (a son): The occurrences of H1340 are in the context of listing the sons born to these women. The word is fundamental to inheritance and generational teaching, as when the Israelites are commanded to teach God's law to their sons and their sons' sons Deuteronomy 4:9.
- H3205 yâlad (to bear young; causatively, to beget): This verb is directly linked with both mentions of H1340, as children "were born" to these women. Its significance is highlighted prophetically, as in the declaration, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" Isaiah 9:6.
The significance of H1340 is rooted entirely in its genealogical placement.
- Maternal Lineage: The name is found exclusively within genealogical lists, highlighting the importance of the maternal line in the official record of Israel's history, from the patriarch Judah to King David (1 Chronicles 2:3, 1 Chronicles 3:5).
- Continuity of Key Lines: By identifying the mother of Judah's heirs and the mother of Solomon, the name H1340 marks pivotal moments in the establishment of both the tribe of Judah and the Davidic monarchy.
- Role of Posterity: The name's context is inseparable from the act of bearing children (born H3205), underscoring the biblical theme of posterity and the continuation of the family name as a fulfillment of divine promise 1 Chronicles 2:3.
In summary, Bath-Shûwaʻ H1340 serves as a specific ancestral marker within the biblical record. Though its usage is rare, it identifies two mothers whose sons were essential to the story of Israel: the heirs of the patriarch Judah and the royal successor to King David. The name's function within these genealogies emphasizes the value placed on lineage and the crucial role of motherhood in the unfolding of Israel's history.
TRV