The Hebrew word Rôʼsh, represented by H7220, is a proper name identifying an Israelite. According to its base definition, it can refer to an Israelite or a foreign nation, but its biblical usage is exclusively as a personal name. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, marking it as a highly specific reference within the scriptures.
In its sole biblical appearance, H7220 is listed as one of the sons of Benjamin in the genealogy recorded in Genesis. This verse details the descendants of Jacob who came into Egypt. The name Rosh is included in the list: "And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard" Genesis 46:21. Its context is purely genealogical, establishing Rosh's identity as a descendant of Benjamin.
The single appearance of H7220 places it within a family unit, connected to several other key figures:
- H1121 bên (a son): This word is foundational to the context of H7220, as the verse explicitly identifies Rosh as one of the "sons of Benjamin" Genesis 46:21. The term establishes the direct lineal relationship within the tribe.
- H1144 Binyâmîyn (son of (the) right hand; Binjamin): As the father of Rosh, Benjamin is the patriarch from whom this line descends. The tribe of Benjamin would become a significant part of Israel's history 1 Samuel 9:16.
- H1106 Belaʻ (Bela, the name of a place, also of an Edomite and of two Israelites): Listed as the firstborn son of Benjamin in other passages 1 Chronicles 8:1, Bela is named alongside Rosh as a brother and a founder of a clan within the tribe.
- H278 ʼÊchîy (Echi, an Israelite): Ehi is another individual named as a brother to Rosh in the same verse, further defining the immediate family group that formed the early tribe of Benjamin Genesis 46:21.
While the name H7220 itself does not carry explicit theological weight, its inclusion in scripture has significance:
- Preservation of Lineage: Rosh's presence in the genealogy of Benjamin demonstrates the meticulous record-keeping used to trace the lineage of the tribes of Israel. This detailed accounting affirms the identity of God's chosen people.
- Covenantal Fulfillment: The listing of the sons of Benjamin, including Rosh, is part of the larger narrative of the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs. Each name represents a part of the nation that would grow from Jacob's family Malachi 3:6.
- Foundation of a Tribe: As a son of Benjamin, Rosh is one of the foundational heads of families within a tribe that would later produce Israel's first king and play a critical role in the nation's history 1 Samuel 9:16.
In summary, H7220 Rôʼsh is a proper name whose significance is derived entirely from its context. Mentioned only once, it functions as a vital piece of genealogical data, identifying one of the sons of Benjamin. While not a theological term in itself, its inclusion in the biblical record highlights the importance of lineage, tribal identity, and the careful preservation of the family lines that would form the nation of Israel.
TRV