patronymic from שׁוּחָם; a Shuchamite (collectively); Shuhamites.
Transliteration:Shûwchâmîy
Pronunciation:shoo-khaw-mee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term שׁוּחָמִי (Shûwchâmîy), Strong's number `{{H7749}}`, is a patronymic noun derived from the proper name שׁוּחָם (Shucham), which is referenced as `{{H7748}}`. As a patronymic, it denotes "a descendant of Shuham" or, collectively, "the Shuhamites." Its core meaning is thus genealogical, identifying a specific family or clan within a larger tribal structure. The suffix "-î" indicates belonging or origin, transforming the personal name into a collective designation for the offspring or members of that family line. The semantic range of שׁוּחָמִי is narrow, exclusively referring to this particular lineage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term שׁוּחָמִי (Shûwchâmîy) appears twice in the Masoretic Text, both instances occurring within the book of Numbers, specifically in the second census of the Israelites conducted in the plains of Moab before entering Canaan.
1. **[[Numbers 26:42]]**: "These are the sons of Dan by their clans: of Shuham, the clan of the Shuhamites..." Here, the text explicitly links the clan (מִשְׁפַּחַת, mishpachath) to Shuham, affirming the patronymic nature of the term. This verse establishes the Shuhamites as one of the primary divisions within the tribe of Dan.
2. **[[Numbers 26:43]]**: "These are the clans of the Danites, according to those who were numbered of them: all the clans of the Shuhamites, according to their numbering, sixty-four thousand and four hundred." This verse reiterates the designation and provides the numerical strength of the Shuhamite clan, emphasizing their significant size within the tribe of Dan.
In both contexts, שׁוּחָמִי functions as a precise identifier within a detailed genealogical and demographic record. The inclusion of the Shuhamites in this census highlights the meticulous nature of Israel's tribal organization and the importance placed on lineage for purposes of land allocation, military service, and religious duties. The census itself reflects God's ordered arrangement of His people and His knowledge of each family unit.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the proper name שׁוּחָם (Shucham), `{{H7748}}`, who is identified as a son of Dan (e.g., [[Numbers 26:42]]). This name serves as the progenitor of the Shuhamite clan. The concept of "patronymic" is central to understanding שׁוּחָמִי, as it belongs to a category of Hebrew words that define groups based on an ancestral figure (e.g., "Israelites" from Israel, "Levites" from Levi).
Other related concepts include:
* **Tribe (שֵׁבֶט, shevet)**: The Shuhamites are a clan within the larger tribe of Dan.
* **Clan/Family (מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpachah)**: The term often appears in conjunction with "clan" to specify a subdivision of a tribe.
* **Census (פְּקֻדָּה, pequddah)**: The contexts of the occurrences are within a national census, underscoring the purpose of such detailed genealogical records for the organization of Israel.
* **Inheritance (נַחֲלָה, nachalah)**: Tribal and clan affiliations were crucial for the allocation of land in Canaan.
* **Lineage/Genealogy (יַחַס, yachas)**: The meticulous recording of descendants was a vital aspect of Israelite identity and historical continuity.
### Theological Significance
While שׁוּחָמִי itself is a specific demographic designation, its presence within the biblical narrative carries broader theological significance.
1. **Divine Order and Providence**: The detailed genealogies and censuses throughout the Pentateuch, including the listing of the Shuhamites, demonstrate God's meticulous ordering of His people. It reflects His sovereign providence in preserving and multiplying the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, fulfilling His covenant promises. Every family, even a smaller clan like the Shuhamites, is known and counted by God.
2. **Covenant Identity and Continuity**: The preservation of distinct tribal and clan identities was crucial for maintaining the covenant identity of Israel. It ensured that the promises made to the patriarchs would be fulfilled through identifiable lines, and it provided a framework for the communal life, worship, and eventual land distribution in Canaan. The Shuhamites contribute to this detailed tapestry of God's chosen people.
3. **Historical Veracity**: The inclusion of specific family names and their numbers lends historical credibility to the biblical account. It suggests a real, identifiable people group whose existence was known and recorded, reinforcing the Bible's claim as a historical document.
4. **Foundation for Future Revelation**: The careful preservation of Israel's lineage, even down to specific clans, lays the groundwork for later biblical narratives, particularly the tracing of the Messianic line through specific tribes and families (e.g., Judah, David). While the Shuhamites are not directly in the Messianic line, their inclusion underscores the importance of all the tribes in the grand narrative of salvation history.
### Summary
שׁוּחָמִי (Shûwchâmîy), Strong's number `{{H7749}}`, is a Hebrew patronymic term meaning "a Shuhamite" or "the Shuhamites," designating the descendants of Shuham (`{{H7748}}`), a son of Dan. Its two biblical occurrences in [[Numbers 26:42]] and [[Numbers 26:43]] place it firmly within the context of the second Israelite census, where it serves to identify a specific and numerically significant clan within the tribe of Dan. The study of this word, though seemingly minor, illuminates the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, reflecting God's divine order, His faithfulness in preserving the covenant people, and the importance of lineage for Israel's identity, organization, and historical continuity. It contributes to the rich, detailed fabric of the Old Testament, underscoring that every part of God's people is known and accounted for in His sovereign plan.
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