The Hebrew word Kiçlôwn, represented by H3692, is an Israelite name meaning hopeful. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular purpose within the text is to establish the paternal lineage of a specific individual from the tribe of Benjamin.
The sole appearance of Kiçlôwn is in Numbers 34:21, where he is identified as the father of Elidad. The verse states, "Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon." In this context, Chislon's name serves as a genealogical marker, providing the specific family identity for Elidad, who was the representative for the tribe of Benjamin in the significant task of dividing the promised land.
Several related words in the passage provide context for Chislon's identity:
- H1121 bên (a son): This word establishes the direct father-son relationship between Chislon and Elidad. As the primary means of tracing lineage, the term "son" is crucial for establishing inheritance and tribal standing throughout the Old Testament Deuteronomy 4:9.
- H1144 Binyâmîyn (Benjamin): This identifies the tribe to which Chislon and his son belonged. The tribe of Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and played a significant role in Israel's history, with its territory located near Jerusalem Jeremiah 20:2.
- H4294 maṭṭeh (a tribe): This term, meaning a branch or rod, figuratively refers to a tribe. It highlights the organizational structure of Israel, where identity and responsibility were formally recorded by tribal affiliation Joshua 7:1.
The narrative significance of H3692 is rooted in its contribution to the scriptural emphasis on order and lineage.
- Genealogical Precision: The inclusion of Chislon's name demonstrates the meticulous detail used to record the family lines of those appointed to leadership roles, ensuring their identity was clear and undisputed Numbers 34:21.
- Tribal Identity: Chislon is mentioned exclusively in relation to his tribe, Benjamin. This underscores the importance of the tribal system in the life of Israel, where individual identity was inseparable from the larger family group.
- A Hopeful Legacy: While the Bible offers no further details about his life, his name's meaning, "hopeful," is passed down through his son Elidad, whose own name means "God of (his) love."
In summary, Kiçlôwn H3692 is a minor but purposeful name in the biblical record. Mentioned only once, his role is to precisely identify his son, Elidad, a key figure from the tribe of Benjamin. The appearance of Chislon reinforces the high value the biblical authors placed on accurate genealogy and the structured, tribal nature of ancient Israelite society.
TRV