The Hebrew word Shûwchâm, represented by H7748, is the proper name of an Israelite. Its base definition is humbly; Shucham, an Israelite; Shuham. The name appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse, marking its specific role within a genealogical record.
The single appearance of H7748 occurs in the context of a census of the tribes of Israel. In Numbers 26:42, Shuham is identified as a son of Dan and the progenitor of the family of the Shuhamites. This verse establishes his identity and lineage within the tribe of Dan, listing him as the head of one of its key families.
Several related words provide the genealogical framework for Shûwchâm:
- H1121 bên (a son): This term is fundamental to establishing lineage and family lines. It is used to identify Shuham as one of the sons of Dan Numbers 26:42.
- H1835 Dân (Dan): This refers to the patriarch of the tribe in which Shuham's family is counted. The tribe of Dan was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, with its own designated territory and role Exodus 31:6.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (family, kind-red): This word describes the social unit that descended from an ancestor. Shuham is the head of the family of the Shuhamites, a key subdivision within the tribe Numbers 26:42.
- H7749 Shûwchâmîy (Shuhamites): This patronymic term directly refers to the descendants of Shuham. The Bible records that the Shuhamites were numbered as part of the census of the families of Dan Numbers 26:43.
The significance of H7748 is rooted in its function within the biblical account of Israel's tribal structure.
- Genealogical Marker: The name Shuham serves as a vital link in the official lineage of the tribe of Dan, highlighting the Old Testament's emphasis on maintaining precise ancestral records Numbers 26:42.
- Patriarchal Head: He is presented as the founder of a specific family, the Shuhamites, demonstrating the biblical pattern where a single individual gives his name to a larger kinship group H4940.
- Tribal Cohesion: By being listed as a "son of Dan," Shuham's lineage is officially integrated into the national structure of Israel. This was critical for matters of inheritance, census, and covenant identity.
In summary, H7748 Shûwchâm is a proper name whose importance is tied to its singular appearance in the biblical genealogies. While not a theological concept in itself, it functions as a key data point, illustrating the detailed structure of Israelite society. The name serves to identify a specific family line within the tribe of Dan, cementing its place in the history and census of God's people.
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