The Hebrew word Shâʼûwlîy, represented by H7587, is a patronymic term meaning a Shaulite or a descendant of an individual named Shaul. This specific identifier appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular purpose is to establish a direct lineage and define a family group by its progenitor.
In its sole biblical appearance, H7587 is used within a genealogical list to identify a specific family line. The text records "of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites" Numbers 26:13. This structure serves to formally name a clan as descending from its founder. This usage occurs in parallel with another family, "Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites," which reinforces the word's function in meticulously tracking ancestry and defining tribal components.
Several related words provide context for the function of H7587:
- H7586 Shâʼûwl (Saul, Shaul): This is the proper name from which the patronymic Shaulite is derived. As seen in the defining verse, the Shaulites are the descendants of a man named Shaul Numbers 26:13.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (family, kind(-red)): This word is essential to understanding H7587, as it designates the group as "the family of the Shaulites" Numbers 26:13. It refers to a circle of relatives or, by extension, a tribe or people.
- H2227 Zarchîy (Zarchite): A term for a descendant of Zerach, this word is used in the exact same verse and parallel structure as Shaulite. Its appearance as "the family of the Zarhites" Numbers 26:13 highlights the common biblical practice of forming clan names from an ancestor's name.
While H7587 is a technical term, it contributes to a significant theological theme: the importance of lineage and family in God's covenantal plan.
- Genealogical Identity: The meticulous record-keeping seen in Numbers 26, which uses terms like H7587, underscores that lineage was central to Israel's identity as the people of God.
- The Family Unit in God's Plan: The term operates within the framework of the family H4940. This concept is theologically vital, as God's promises and relationship with humanity are often expressed through family units, with a promise that "all families of the earth be blessed" Genesis 12:3.
- Divine Election: God's unique relationship with Israel is framed in familial terms, setting them apart from "all the families of the earth" Amos 3:2. Identifying individual families like the Shaulites is part of delineating this chosen people.
In summary, H7587 Shâʼûwlîy is a highly specific word whose importance lies in its function rather than its frequency. Its single use in the Bible perfectly illustrates the ancient Hebrew method of identifying people by their paternal ancestry. It demonstrates the value placed on precise genealogy and connects a single clan, the Shaulites, to the broader national and religious identity of Israel as defined by its constituent families.
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