The Hebrew name Shiphʻîy, represented by H8230, means copious. This name belongs to an Israelite and appears just 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire biblical record. Its sole function is to identify an individual within a specific lineage.
The single appearance of H8230 is in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles. The verse states, "And Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah" 1 Chronicles 4:37. In this context, Shiphi serves as a crucial link, identified as the father of Ziza and the son of Allon, cementing his place within the ancestral line.
The lineage of Shiphi connects him to several other individuals mentioned in the biblical narrative:
- H2124 Zîyzâʼ (Ziza): Defined as "prominence," this is the name of Shiphi's son 1 Chronicles 4:37. The name also appears in a different lineage 2 Chronicles 11:20.
- H438 ʼAllôwn (Allon): This is the name of Shiphi's father 1 Chronicles 4:37. The term is also used to designate a place in Palestine Joshua 19:33.
- H1121 bên (son): This word is the structural element of the genealogy, repeated to connect each generation. Its importance in establishing family and passing down heritage is seen throughout scripture, such as the command to "teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons" Deuteronomy 4:9.
While mentioned only in passing, the inclusion of H8230 carries significance within the biblical text.
- Genealogical Integrity: The presence of Shiphi in a detailed ancestral list demonstrates the importance placed on maintaining a precise record of lineage and heritage within Israel. This one verse 1 Chronicles 4:37 preserves a multi-generational family history.
- Individual in Community: By naming Shiphi and specifying his father and son, the text affirms the identity of each person within the larger tribal and national story.
- Significance of a Name: The name Shiphi itself is derived from a word meaning "copious." Hebrew names often reflected a hope, a characteristic, or a circumstance, adding a potential layer of meaning to the individual's identity.
In summary, H8230 is the proper name Shiphi, an Israelite whose identity is preserved in a single verse. It functions exclusively within a genealogy in 1 Chronicles to connect two generations, Ziza and Allon. Though its appearance is brief, its inclusion underscores the biblical value of heritage, the identity of the individual, and the potential meaning carried within a name like copious.
TRV