The Hebrew name Chămûwṭal, represented by H2537, identifies a specific Israelitess in the biblical record. The name means "father-in-law of dew." It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in scripture. Its usage is consistently linked to defining the maternal lineage of two of the last kings of Judah.
In the biblical narrative, H2537 is exclusively used to name the mother of two kings of Judah. She is identified as the mother's name for Jehoahaz 2 Kings 23:31. She is also named as the mother of Zedekiah in both 2 Kings 24:18 and Jeremiah 52:1. In every instance, she is further identified as the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah, establishing her specific parentage and place of origin.
Several related words are essential to understanding the context of H2537:
- H517 ʼêm (a mother): This word defines Hamutal's primary role in the passages where she is mentioned, establishing the royal lineage of her sons (2 Kings 23:31, 2 Kings 24:18, Jeremiah 52:1).
- H1323 bath (a daughter): This term specifies Hamutal's own lineage, consistently identifying her as the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah 2 Kings 23:31. Figuratively, it can also refer to a city or its people, like the "daughter of Zion" Zechariah 9:9.
- H3414 Yirmᵉyâh (Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites; Jeremiah): This is the name of Hamutal's father. While he is from Libnah, other verses show the name belongs to the well-known prophet Jeremiah, who received the word of the LORD Daniel 9:2.
- H3841 Libnâh (Libnah, a place in the Desert and one in Palestine): This identifies Hamutal's hometown. Libnah is mentioned as a city of Judah given to the sons of Aaron 1 Chronicles 6:57 and was a site of military conflict 2 Kings 19:8.
The context of H2537 carries significant historical weight, highlighting key themes from the final years of the Kingdom of Judah.
- Royal Maternal Lineage: The specific naming of the king's mother was a standard and important part of the royal chronicles, as seen with Hamutal for both Jehoahaz and Zedekiah (2 Kings 23:31, 2 Kings 24:18). It underscores the importance of precise genealogical records.
- Connection to Prophetic Times: Hamutal is identified as the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah Jeremiah 52:1. This places her family squarely within the era of the prophet Jeremiah's ministry, a time of dire warnings about Jerusalem's destruction Daniel 9:2.
- A Family in a Failing Kingdom: Hamutal was the mother of two of Judah's last kings, who reigned for short periods just before the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 23:31, 2 Kings 24:18). Her identity is therefore intrinsically linked to the narrative of Judah's final collapse.
In summary, H2537 Chămûwṭal is not a conceptual term but the name of a specific historical figure. Her significance comes entirely from her role as the mother of kings Jehoahaz and Zedekiah. The biblical record uses her name to anchor the lineage of these final rulers of Judah, consistently noting her identity as the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah (2 Kings 23:31, 2 Kings 24:18, Jeremiah 52:1). Thus, the name Hamutal serves as a key genealogical marker within the historical account of the kingdom's final days.
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