The Hebrew word Chûwphâm, represented by H2349, is the name of an Israelite. Its base definition is protection. This word appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, where it serves to identify the head of a family line during a census of Israel.
The sole biblical occurrence of H2349 is in a genealogical record. In Numbers 26:39, the text establishes the lineage of a specific clan by stating: "of Hupham H2349, the family of the Huphamites H2350." This verse appears within a comprehensive census of the tribes of Israel, highlighting the importance of tracking patriarchal lines. The passage simultaneously lists a parallel family, that of "Shupham H8197, the family of the Shuphamites H7781," underscoring the structured format of these records.
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the context surrounding this name:
- H2350 Chûwphâmîy (Huphamites): This is the patronymic term derived directly from H2349, meaning "a Chuphamite or descendant of Chupham." It is used in Numbers 26:39 to name the family that originated from Hupham.
- H8197 Shᵉphûwphâm (Shupham or Shephuphan): The name of an Israelite who appears in parallel to Hupham in the census Numbers 26:39 and is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8:5. His family is similarly recorded, emphasizing the pattern of genealogical accounting.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (family, kind-red): This word for "family" is the term that links Hupham to his descendants. It is a key term for tribal and familial identity, used to describe not only the clans of Israel Leviticus 25:10 but also the "kindreds of the people" who are called to worship God Psalms 96:7.
The theological weight of H2349 is found not in the name itself but in its role within the biblical narrative of lineage and covenant.
- Genealogical Integrity: The mention of Hupham and his specific family demonstrates the meticulous care taken to record and preserve the lineage of the Israelite people. This reflects the value placed on identity and inheritance.
- Covenantal Accounting: This name is part of a census that counts the members of the covenant community. Being named in this list signifies belonging to the people God identified as his own, the "families of the earth" He had uniquely known Amos 3:2.
- Familial Identity: The structure "of Hupham H2349, the family H4940 of the Huphamites H2350" reinforces the foundational role of the family unit in the structure of Israelite society and its relationship with God.
In summary, Chûwphâm H2349 is a proper name whose significance is tied entirely to its singular context. It functions as a genealogical marker, identifying a patriarch whose descendants, the Huphamites H2350, were counted among the families of Israel. Though a minor detail, its inclusion highlights the biblical themes of precise lineage, covenant identity, and the importance of every family in the nation's history.
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