The Hebrew word Shûwaʻ, represented by H7770, is a proper name identifying a Canaanite man. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. The name serves to establish the identity of a specific individual within the narrative of Judah's life.
In the biblical narrative, H7770 is used exclusively in the context of Judah's family. Judah sees the daughter of a Canaanite man whose name was Shuah and takes her as a wife Genesis 38:2. Later in the same chapter, the narrative notes the death of this woman, referring to her as "the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife" Genesis 38:12. The name is therefore used to identify Judah's father-in-law, marking the origin of his first wife.
Several related words provide context for the story involving Shûwaʻ:
- H1323 bath (a daughter): This term is central to the identity of Shuah, who is only known as the father of Judah's wife. She is consistently referred to as the "daughter" of Shuah Genesis 38:2.
- H802 ʼishshâh (a woman; wife): The daughter of Shuah becomes Judah's "wife," a relationship established in Genesis 38:2 and reaffirmed by the description of her death Genesis 38:12.
- H4191 mûwth (to die): This word marks the conclusion of the life of Shuah's daughter, as the account states that Judah's wife "died" Genesis 38:12, an event which precedes Judah's subsequent actions in the chapter.
The narrative significance of H7770 is tied to its role in establishing lineage and context within the story of Judah.
- Canaanite Lineage: The text explicitly identifies Shuah as a "certain Canaanite" Genesis 38:2, which defines the background of the woman Judah marries.
- Paternal Identification: Shuah's name is the sole identifier for his daughter. She is not named personally but is instead known as "the daughter of Shuah," linking her identity directly to her father Genesis 38:12.
- Narrative Framing: The mention of Shuah and his daughter frames a specific period in Judah's life, beginning with his marriage to a Canaanite woman and concluding with her death.
In summary, H7770 is a proper name that, while infrequent, provides a crucial piece of information in the Old Testament. It identifies the Canaanite father of Judah's first wife, clarifying her lineage. The use of Shûwaʻ demonstrates how even a minor character's name is essential for establishing relationships and providing key contextual details within the biblical account.
TRV