patronymically from חֶצְרוֹן; a Chetsronite or (collectively) descendants of Chetsron; Hezronites.
Transliteration:Chetsrôwnîy
Pronunciation:khets-ro-nee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חֶצְרוֹנִי (Chetsrôwnîy), Strong's `{{H2697}}`, is a patronymic adjective derived from the proper noun חֶצְרוֹן (Chetsrôn), Strong's `{{H2696}}`. As a patronymic, its core meaning is "of Hezron" or "belonging to Hezron." When used collectively, it denotes "the descendants of Hezron" or "the family of Hezron," hence "Hezronites."
The semantic range is specifically tied to the two prominent individuals named Hezron in the biblical genealogies:
1. Hezron, the son of Reuben, Jacob's firstborn ([[Genesis 46:9]], [[Exodus 6:14]], [[Numbers 26:6]], [[1 Chronicles 5:3]]).
2. Hezron, the son of Perez, who was a son of Judah ([[Genesis 46:12]], [[Numbers 26:21]], [[Ruth 4:18]], [[1 Chronicles 2:5]], [[1 Chronicles 2:9]], [[1 Chronicles 2:18]], [[1 Chronicles 2:21]], [[1 Chronicles 2:24]], [[1 Chronicles 2:25]]).
Significantly, the term חֶצְרוֹנִי (Hezronites) is applied to the descendants of *both* of these individuals in the Book of Numbers, demonstrating that the patronymic identifies a specific family lineage, with the context clarifying which Hezron is the progenitor.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֶצְרוֹנִי (Chetsrôwnîy) appears exclusively in the Book of Numbers, specifically within the detailed census accounts:
* **[[Numbers 26:6]]**: "of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites." Here, the reference is to Hezron, son of Reuben. This verse is part of the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness, taken in the plains of Moab. The purpose is to count the fighting men of each tribe and family, preparing for the distribution of the land of Canaan. This occurrence highlights the establishment of a distinct clan within the tribe of Reuben.
* **[[Numbers 26:21]]**: "of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites." In this instance, the term refers to Hezron, son of Perez, from the tribe of Judah. This verse also occurs within the same census in Numbers 26. This clan is particularly significant as Hezron of Judah is an ancestor in the royal line of David and ultimately the messianic lineage ([[Matthew 1:3]], [[Luke 3:33]]).
In both contexts, the term is coupled with מִשְׁפַּחַת (mishpachath), meaning "family" or "clan," underscoring its role in delineating a distinct kinship unit within the larger tribal structure. The precise enumeration of these families was vital for maintaining tribal identity, ensuring proper land inheritance, and organizing the nation for its future in the Promised Land.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of חֶצְרוֹנִי (Chetsrôwnîy) is enriched by considering its connections to other biblical terms and concepts:
* **חֶצְרוֹן (Chetsrôn, `{{H2696}}`):** The direct etymological root. Understanding the two distinct individuals named Hezron is paramount for correctly interpreting the patronymic in its various contexts.
* **Patronymics in general:** The Bible frequently uses patronymic terms (e.g., "Reubenites," "Judahites," "Gershonites") to define identity, lineage, and tribal affiliation. This linguistic feature emphasizes the importance of ancestry in Israelite society.
* **מִשְׁפַּחַת (Mishpachah, `{{H4940}}`):** "Family," "clan," or "kindred." The consistent pairing of "Hezronites" with "mishpachah" emphasizes that the term designates a recognized, organized social unit within the tribal framework.
* **Genealogy:** The broader biblical theme of tracing lineage (e.g., in Genesis, Numbers, and Chronicles). Genealogies serve various purposes, including establishing rights to inheritance, priestly claims, and, most significantly, the fulfillment of covenant promises related to the seed of Abraham and the messianic line.
* **The Census (Numbers 26):** The specific literary context in which the term appears. This census highlights God's meticulous ordering of His people, their numerical strength, and their preparation for divine promises.
### Theological Significance
The designation of "Hezronites" carries several theological implications:
* **Divine Order and Providence:** The detailed enumeration of families and clans, including the Hezronites, reflects God's meticulous order and His providential care for every segment of His covenant people. It underscores that every individual and family unit, no matter how seemingly small, is known and accounted for by the Lord.
* **Covenant Fidelity:** The careful preservation and identification of distinct tribal and family lines, even through generations of wilderness wandering, testify to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which included the promise of innumerable descendants. The continued existence of these named clans demonstrates God's commitment to His word.
* **Identity and Inheritance:** For the ancient Israelite, belonging to a specific "mishpachah" like the Hezronites was foundational to their identity. It determined their place within the community, their social standing, and crucially, their portion in the promised land. This reflects the theological principle that God provides a specific, designated inheritance for His people, both physically and spiritually.
* **Redemptive History (Indirectly):** While the Hezronites of Reuben are noted, the Hezronites stemming from Judah are particularly significant. Hezron, son of Perez, of the tribe of Judah, is a direct ancestor of King David and, subsequently, of Jesus Christ. Thus, the very identification and preservation of this specific clan within Judah point, however subtly, towards the unfolding of God's grand redemptive plan and the ultimate advent of the Messiah through this lineage.
### Summary
The term חֶצְרוֹנִי (Chetsrôwnîy, `{{H2697}}`) designates "Hezronites," a patronymic identifying the descendants of a man named Hezron. This term is uniquely applied to two distinct lineages in the biblical text: the family stemming from Hezron, son of Reuben ([[Numbers 26:6]]), and the family stemming from Hezron, son of Perez, of the tribe of Judah ([[Numbers 26:21]]). Its occurrences are confined to the census records in the Book of Numbers, where it meticulously identifies specific tribal clans. The study of "Hezronites" underscores the biblical emphasis on lineage, tribal identity, and the vital role of family units in the divine economy. Theologically, it highlights God's divine order, His faithfulness in preserving the identity of His covenant people, and the foundational importance of family in relation to inheritance and the unfolding of salvation history, particularly through the Judahite branch leading to the Messiah.
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