masculine plural of passive participle of לָטַשׁ; hammered (i.e. oppressed) ones; Letushim, an Arabian tribe; Letushim.
Transliteration:Lᵉṭûwshim
Pronunciation:let-oo-sheem'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word Lᵉṭûwshim (`{{H3912}}`) is a masculine plural passive participle derived from the verbal root lāṭash (`{{H3913}}`). The root lāṭash fundamentally means "to hammer," "to sharpen," or "to whet," often in the context of metalworking or preparing weapons (e.g., sharpening a sword). As a passive participle, Lᵉṭûwshim literally translates to "the hammered ones" or "the sharpened ones." The base definition extends this literal meaning to a metaphorical sense of "oppressed ones," implying a state of being "hammered" or afflicted by hardship. However, in its sole biblical occurrence, Lᵉṭûwshim functions as a proper noun, specifically an ethnic or tribal designation. This indicates that the name itself may have carried a historical or characteristic meaning for the people it identified, rather than directly describing an action in the biblical text.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Lᵉṭûwshim (`{{H3912}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in the book of Genesis.
[[Genesis 25:3]]: "Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim."
This verse is part of the genealogical account detailing the descendants of Abraham through his wife Keturah. Specifically, Lᵉṭûwshim is listed as one of the three "sons" (likely representing tribal groups) of Dedan, who was a son of Jokshan, Abraham's son by Keturah. This places the Lᵉṭûwshim within the broader lineage of Arabian tribes associated with Abraham's extended family. The context is purely genealogical, identifying Lᵉṭûwshim as a distinct tribal entity alongside Asshurim (`{{H805}}`) and Leummim (`{{H3817}}`). No further narrative details are provided about this tribe, their history, or any specific experiences that might explain the etymology of their name ("hammered/oppressed ones"). Their inclusion serves to map out the diverse peoples of the ancient Near East who shared a common, albeit distant, ancestry with the Israelites.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for Lᵉṭûwshim (`{{H3912}}`) is its verbal root, lāṭash (`{{H3913}}`). This root is used in various contexts to describe the act of sharpening or hammering, as seen in [[Isaiah 2:4]] (beating swords into plowshares) or [[Joel 3:10]] (beating plowshares into swords). This connection underscores the active process of shaping or refining, which, in the passive form of Lᵉṭûwshim, implies being acted upon or subjected to a process of formation, whether literal or metaphorical.
In terms of related concepts, Lᵉṭûwshim is part of a cluster of tribal names in [[Genesis 25:3]] (Asshurim, Leummim) that are themselves proper nouns derived from descriptive roots. This highlights a common ancient practice of naming individuals or groups based on characteristics, origins, or significant events. The mention of Dedan (`{{H1722}}`) and Sheba (`{{H7614}}`) further contextualizes Lᵉṭûwshim within the known Arabian tribal landscape, suggesting kinship with other significant groups in the region. While the underlying meaning "oppressed ones" connects to the broader biblical theme of suffering and affliction, in this specific instance, Lᵉṭûwshim functions solely as a proper name without an accompanying narrative of their oppression.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Lᵉṭûwshim (`{{H3912}}`) is primarily found in its contribution to the grand sweep of Abrahamic genealogies. Its inclusion, alongside numerous other tribes, serves as a testament to the fulfillment of God's covenantal promise to Abraham that his descendants would be exceedingly numerous, like the dust of the earth or the stars of the heavens ([[Genesis 13:16]], [[Genesis 15:5]]). This meticulous detailing of various lineages, even those not directly in the line of covenantal promise (Isaac and Jacob), demonstrates the comprehensive nature of God's providential ordering of nations and His sovereignty over all peoples.
While the etymological meaning "hammered ones" could potentially allude to a history of hardship or a defining experience for this tribe, the biblical text does not elaborate on this. Thus, any theological reflection on their name remains speculative. Instead, their presence in the sacred text primarily functions to illustrate the vast and diverse family tree that sprang from Abraham, extending into the Arabian peninsula and forming part of the broader human family under God's creative and sustaining hand. It underscores the biblical worldview that all peoples have a place within God's historical plan, even if their specific narratives are not extensively detailed.
### Summary
Lᵉṭûwshim (`{{H3912}}`) is a unique Hebrew word, appearing only once in [[Genesis 25:3]] as the name of an Arabian tribe. Derived from the root lāṭash (`{{H3913}}`), meaning "to hammer" or "to sharpen," Lᵉṭûwshim literally translates to "the hammered ones" or, by extension, "the oppressed ones." In its sole biblical occurrence, it functions as a proper noun, identifying one of the three tribal groups descended from Dedan, a son of Abraham through Keturah. While the etymological meaning of the name might suggest a history of hardship or a defining characteristic of the tribe, the biblical text does not provide further narrative details. Its primary significance lies in its contribution to the extensive Abrahamic genealogies, illustrating the fulfillment of God's promise of numerous descendants and highlighting the meticulousness of the biblical record in mapping out the diverse peoples of the ancient world. Lᵉṭûwshim thus serves as a historical and geographical marker, affirming God's comprehensive sovereignty over all nations and His detailed ordering of human history.
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