יִבְשָׂם

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word Yibsâm, represented by H3005, means fragrant and is the name of an Israelite. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, marking its role as a specific personal name within a genealogical record.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole mention of Yibsâm H3005 is in 1 Chronicles 7:2, where he is listed as one of the sons H1121 of Tola H8439. In this passage, Jibsam and his brothers are identified as heads H7218 of their father's H1 house H1004. They are further described as valiant men H1368 of might H2428 whose descendants were numbered in the days H3117 of David H1732.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words appear alongside Yibsâm in 1 Chronicles 7:2, providing its genealogical and social context:

• H8439 Tôwlâʻ (worm; Tola, the name of two Israelites): He is the father of Jibsam, establishing the immediate lineage.
• H1121 bên (a son (as a builder of the family name)): This word identifies Jibsam's relationship to Tola and places him within the family structure.
• H7218 rôʼsh (the head... chief): Jibsam is named as one of the "heads" of his family, signifying a position of leadership and authority.
• H1368 gibbôwr (powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant): This describes the character of Jibsam and his brothers, highlighting their status as valiant and strong men.
• H2428 chayil (probably a force... an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength): This term further emphasizes the "might" and valor of Tola's descendants.

Theological Significance

While a minor figure, the inclusion of H3005 in this specific context carries significance:

• Importance of Lineage: Jibsam's name is preserved as part of the official generations H8435 of the sons of Tola, underscoring the value placed on ancestry and tribal identity in Israel.
• Valorous Leadership: He is not merely named but is part of a group described as heads H7218 and valiant men H1368, linking his identity to qualities of leadership and strength that were honored within the community.
• Numbered Strength: The record notes that the number H4557 of these descendants was twenty-two thousand H505 and six hundred H3967 in the days of David H1732, illustrating the detailed accounting of Israel's strength.

Summary

In summary, Yibsâm H3005 is the proper name of an Israelite whose significance is tied entirely to his single appearance in a genealogy. Though he is not a central character in any narrative, his mention in 1 Chronicles 7:2 serves as a vital data point, preserving a record of lineage within the family of Tola and identifying him as part of a line known for its leadership and might.