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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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