The Hebrew word Tsôbêbâh, represented by H6637, is the name of an Israelitess. Its base definition is "the canopier." This name appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire biblical text, marking it as a highly specific reference within the scriptural record.
The sole appearance of H6637 is in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles. The verse states, "And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum" 1 Chronicles 4:8. In this context, Zobebah is identified as one of the offspring of a man named Coz, placing her firmly within the recorded lineage of the tribes of Israel. The mention is brief and serves a purely documentary purpose, establishing her place in the family line.
The verse where Tsôbêbâh is found connects it to several other key genealogical terms:
- H6976 Qôwts (Coz): This is the name of Zobebah's father, establishing her direct parentage. The name also appears in other lists within Chronicles and Nehemiah (1 Chronicles 24:10, Nehemiah 3:4).
- H3205 yâlad (begat): This primitive root word, meaning "to bear young" or "to beget," is the action that links Coz to his child Zobebah. It is fundamental to all biblical genealogies (Genesis 3:16, Psalms 2:7).
- H4940 mishpâchâh (families): This word, meaning "a family" or "circle of relatives," is used in the same verse to describe the other descendants of Coz, placing Zobebah within a larger kindred group Genesis 12:3.
- H1121 bên (son): Meaning "a son," this word is used in the same passage to identify another relative, Aharhel, highlighting the patriarchal structure of the lineage being recorded 1 Chronicles 4:8.
The significance of H6637 is rooted entirely in its contribution to the biblical practice of maintaining detailed ancestral records.
- Preservation of Lineage: The name's inclusion, however brief, demonstrates the meticulous care taken by the Chronicler to record the lineage of the people of Israel.
- Individual in Community: By naming Zobebah, scripture acknowledges her as a specific individual within the larger "families" H4940 of her people, underscoring the value of each person in the historical narrative.
- Genealogical Context: The name exists solely to fulfill a role in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 4. Its purpose is to document a connection between Coz H6976 and his descendants.
In summary, H6637 Tsôbêbâh is a name that appears once in scripture for the specific purpose of genealogical documentation. Found in 1 Chronicles 4:8, it identifies an Israelitess as the offspring of Coz. While it does not carry broad theological weight, its presence illustrates the importance of lineage and individual identity within the historical and communal records of the Old Testament.
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