The Hebrew name Shelesh, represented by H8028, identifies a specific Israelite. Derived from a root meaning triplet, the name appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in scripture, confining its use to a single genealogical record.
The sole appearance of H8028 is in a list of names within the tribe of Asher. The text identifies Shelesh as one of the sons of a man named Helem 1 Chronicles 7:35. This mention serves a purely historical function, placing Shelesh within a specific family line and preserving his identity as part of the recorded lineage of Israel.
The context of Shelesh's mention in 1 Chronicles 7:35 connects him to several other individuals and familial terms:
- H1121 bên (a son): This word establishes the generational link, identifying Shelesh and his brothers as the descendants of Helem 1 Chronicles 7:35.
- H251 ʼâch (a brother): This term provides the wider family context, noting that Shelesh's father, Helem, is the brother of another individual in the Asherite lineage 1 Chronicles 7:35.
- H1987 Helem (smiter; Helem, an Israelite): Named as the father of Shelesh, Zophah, Imna, and Amal, anchoring this specific family unit within the genealogy 1 Chronicles 7:35.
- H6690 Tsôwphach (Zophah): Listed as the first son of Helem and therefore the brother of Shelesh 1 Chronicles 7:35.
- H3234 Yimnâʻ (Imna): Another brother of Shelesh listed in the same family group 1 Chronicles 7:35.
- H6000 ʻÂmâl (Amal): The final brother of Shelesh mentioned in the list of Helem's sons 1 Chronicles 7:35.
The theological significance of H8028 is not found in the name itself but in its function within the biblical text. Its inclusion highlights key principles of the scriptural record.
- Genealogical Preservation: The mention of Shelesh demonstrates the meticulous care taken to record the lineage of the tribes of Israel, affirming the place of each individual within the covenant community.
- Historical Continuity: By recording specific names, even those mentioned only once like Shelesh, the narrative establishes an unbroken link between generations, reinforcing the historical reality of God's people 1 Chronicles 7:35.
- Individual Identity: The act of naming Shelesh and his brothers affirms the value of each person in the national and spiritual history of Israel, ensuring their memory was not lost.
In summary, H8028 Shelesh is a proper name whose importance is tied directly to its singular appearance in a biblical genealogy. While lacking broader doctrinal application, its presence in the text is a testament to the biblical emphasis on lineage, historical record, and the value of every individual within the nation of Israel. The name serves as a precise marker in the family line of the tribe of Asher 1 Chronicles 7:35.
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