patronymically from חָמוּל; a Chamulite (collectively) or descendants of Chamul; Hamulites.
Transliteration:Châmûwlîy
Pronunciation:khaw-moo-lee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2539}}` (Châmûwlîy) functions as a patronymic, designating the descendants of an individual named Hamul. Its meaning is directly derived from the personal name `{{H2538}}` (Châmûwl), which itself stems from the verbal root `{{H2550}}` (chāmal), meaning "to spare," "to pity," or "to show compassion." Therefore, the name Hamul (חָמוּל) can be understood as "pitied," "spared," or "one shown compassion." Consequently, the "Hamulites" (חָמוּלִי) are the "descendants of the one who was pitied" or "the offspring of the one shown compassion." This term is collective, referring to the entire clan or family group rather than an individual.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H2539}}` (Châmûwlîy) appears in the Hebrew Bible in a singular, yet significant, context:
* [[Numbers 26:21]]: "Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites."
This occurrence is found within the detailed census of the tribes of Israel, recorded in the plains of Moab before their entry into the Promised Land. Specifically, the Hamulites are listed as one of the two families descending from Hezron, who was a son of Perez, a son of Judah. This genealogical record serves a crucial purpose: to enumerate the fighting men of Israel for military organization and to establish the tribal and familial allocations of land in Canaan. The precise identification of the "Hamulites" within this census underscores the meticulous nature of Israelite record-keeping, vital for maintaining lineage, inheritance rights, and tribal identity. It confirms their established place within the tribe of Judah, a foundational tribe from which the Davidic monarchy and ultimately the Messiah would emerge.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to `{{H2539}}` is the personal name `{{H2538}}` (Châmûwl), who is identified as the progenitor of this clan. Hamul himself is mentioned in [[Genesis 46:12]] and again in [[Numbers 26:21]] as a son of Perez, a son of Judah. The deeper semantic root is the verb `{{H2550}}` (chāmal), which conveys the divine attribute of compassion and mercy, often seen in God's dealings with His people. Concepts intrinsically linked to `{{H2539}}` include:
* **Genealogy:** The meticulous tracing of family lines, crucial for identity, inheritance, and covenantal promises in ancient Israel.
* **Tribal Identity:** The belonging to a specific tribe, which dictated social standing, land allocation, and spiritual roles.
* **Census:** The divine command to number the people, often for military readiness or administrative purposes, but also highlighting God's knowledge of each individual and family within His covenant people.
* **Patronymics:** The common practice in Hebrew of forming family names from the name of an ancestral father, emphasizing continuity and lineage.
### Theological Significance
The inclusion of "Hamulites" in the biblical census, though seemingly a mere detail, carries profound theological weight. Firstly, it underscores the importance of **divine faithfulness to covenant promises**. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be innumerable, and the detailed genealogies, including the enumeration of specific clans like the Hamulites, demonstrate the fulfillment of this promise as the Israelites grew into a vast nation. Secondly, the very name "Hamul" – "pitied" or "spared" – subtly echoes God's **compassion and preservation** of His people. Even in their wanderings and challenges, God's mercy sustained and multiplied them. The meticulous nature of the census also speaks to God's **sovereign knowledge and care** for each family and individual within His covenant community. Every clan, no matter how seemingly small, was known and accounted for by God. This attention to detail in the divine record reinforces the biblical principle that God is intimately involved in the lives and histories of His people, upholding their identity and ensuring their place within His redemptive plan, particularly within the lineage of Judah, from whom the Messiah would come.
### Summary
`{{H2539}}` (Châmûwlîy) designates the "Hamulites," a collective term for the descendants of Hamul, whose name means "pitied" or "spared." This patronymic appears once in the biblical record, within the census of [[Numbers 26:21]], identifying them as a clan within the tribe of Judah. Its significance lies not only in its role in meticulous biblical genealogies, which validated tribal identity and inheritance, but also in its broader theological implications. The presence of the Hamulites in the census underscores God's faithfulness in multiplying His people, His compassionate preservation of them, and His intimate knowledge and care for every family within His covenant community, particularly within the lineage leading to the Messiah.
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