The Hebrew name Châmûwl, represented by H2538, identifies an Israelite individual named Hamul. The name means pitied. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, exclusively within genealogical records that establish his place within the tribe of Judah.
In the biblical narrative, H2538 is used to pinpoint Hamul's lineage. He is first recorded as one of the two sons H1121 of Pharez who descended into Egypt as part of Jacob's household Genesis 46:12. This record is later mirrored in 1 Chronicles, which affirms that the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul 1 Chronicles 2:5. Finally, a census taken in the book of Numbers lists the descendants of Pharez, identifying the clan that came from Hamul as "the family of the Hamulites" Numbers 26:21.
Several related words provide context for Hamul's place within Israel's tribal structure:
- H6557 Perets (the same as פֶּרֶץ; Perets, the name of two Israelites; Perez, Pharez): Hamul is a direct son of Pharez, placing him in one of the primary lines of descent from Judah Genesis 46:12.
- H2696 Chetsrôwn (from חָצֵר; court-yard; Chetsron, the name of a place in Palestine; also of two Israelites; Hezron): Listed as the brother of Hamul, Hezron is his counterpart in carrying forward the family line of Pharez 1 Chronicles 2:5.
- H3063 Yᵉhûwdâh (from יָדָה; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory; Judah): As a grandson of Judah, Hamul belongs to the tribe that would become the most prominent in Israel Genesis 46:12.
- H2539 Châmûwlîy (patronymically from חָמוּל; a Chamulite (collectively) or descendants of Chamul; Hamulites): This term refers to the official clan descended from Hamul, demonstrating that his line grew into a recognized family unit within the nation Numbers 26:21.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red)): This word is used to formally designate the Hamulites as a distinct family group during the census of Israel Numbers 26:21.
The significance of H2538 is rooted in its function within biblical genealogies and the structure of Israel.
- Continuation of a Key Lineage: Hamul and his brother Hezron are essential figures in the line of Judah H3063. Their births ensured the continuation of the line of Pharez after Judah's first two sons, Er H6147 and Onan H209, died H4191 in the land of Canaan Genesis 46:12.
- Founder of a Clan: Hamul is presented not just as an individual but as the patriarch of a clan. The census in Numbers validates his legacy by identifying "the family of the Hamulites" H2539 as a formal subdivision of the tribe of Judah Numbers 26:21.
- Tribal Identity: The inclusion of Hamul in the key genealogical lists of Genesis, Numbers, and 1 Chronicles highlights the importance of maintaining a precise record of the families that constituted the twelve tribes of Israel.
In summary, H2538 is the proper name Hamul, a figure whose importance is defined by his genealogical position. As a son of Pharez and grandson of Judah, he played a vital role in continuing one of Israel's most significant lineages. His legacy is cemented by the founding of the Hamulites, a recognized family that formed a component of the Israelite nation.
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