### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Partsîy**, represented by `{{H6558}}`, is a patronymic term meaning a **Partsite**, or collectively, the descendants of Perets. It is derived from the proper name **Perets** `{{H6557}}`. This specific term appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire biblical text, highlighting its role as a precise genealogical identifier rather than a common noun.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H6558}}` is in the census recorded in [[Numbers 26:20]]. This verse details the primary clans within the tribe of Judah. It states, "And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the **Pharzites**: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites." In this context, the **Pharzites** are listed as one of the major **families** `{{H4940}}` that descended from Judah's son, **Pharez** `{{H6557}}`.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide the genealogical framework for understanding `{{H6558}}`:
* `{{H6557}}` **Perets**: The direct ancestor from whom the Pharzites are named. He was a son of **Judah** `{{H3063}}`, and his descendants formed a key family line [[Genesis 46:12]].
* `{{H4940}}` **mishpâchâh**: Translated as **family**, this word defines the primary social and tribal unit. Its repeated use in [[Numbers 26:20]] organizes the tribe of Judah into distinct circles of relatives.
* `{{H3063}}` **Yᵉhûwdâh**: The patriarch **Judah**, whose sons founded the clans that comprise his tribe. The Pharzites are a branch of this larger tribal entity.
* `{{H2227}}` **Zarchîy**: Meaning **Zarchite**, this is the term for the descendants of Zerah. It appears in [[Numbers 26:20]] alongside **Partsîy**, illustrating the parallel system of naming families after their founders.
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H6558}}` is primarily genealogical and structural, underscoring key biblical themes.
* **Tribal Identity:** The naming of the **Pharzites** as a specific **family** `{{H4940}}` is part of the meticulous record-keeping that established tribal identity, rights, and inheritance within Israel.
* **Patriarchal Lineage:** The term is a clear example of a patronym, where a community's identity is derived from its founding father. The Pharzites are the people of Perets, just as the Zarhites are the people of Zerah [[Numbers 26:20]].
* **Covenant Preservation:** As a family within **Judah** `{{H3063}}`, the Pharzites were part of the line through which the promise of a ruling sceptre was to be fulfilled [[Genesis 49:10]]. Documenting their existence was integral to tracking this covenantal lineage.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H6558}}` **Partsîy** is a rare term, its single use is highly significant. It functions as a precise genealogical marker, identifying the descendants of Perets as a distinct family within the tribe of Judah. The word encapsulates the importance of lineage, patriarchal structure, and the careful preservation of tribal identity in the biblical narrative, contributing a specific detail to the larger framework of God's covenant with Israel.
TRV