אֲחוֹחַ
Achoach, an Israelite
Definition
Achoah (also spelled Ahoah in the KJV) is a proper name belonging to an Israelite man, a son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 8:4. The name appears only in this genealogical list within the tribe of Benjamin. As a proper noun, it refers solely to this individual ancestor. The name's meaning, derived from its etymology, suggests a familial connection, likely implying 'brotherly' or 'fraternal'.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 8:4, within a genealogical record. It functions solely as a personal name identifying a descendant in the lineage of Benjamin. There are no other contextual uses or patterns, as it is a unique identifier for a single individual in a list of ancestors.
Etymology
The name אֲחוֹחַ (ʼĂchôwach) is formed by reduplication from the root אָח (ʼāch, H251), meaning 'brother'. This linguistic process intensifies or emphasizes the root meaning, resulting in a sense like 'brotherly' or 'fraternal'. It is a patronymic or descriptive name highlighting kinship and familial bonds.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its placement in the genealogy of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:1-40) contributes to the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to the tribes of Israel across generations. Understanding its meaning ('brotherly') can subtly underscore the importance of tribal and familial unity within the covenant people. For the modern reader, it is a reminder that even brief, singular mentions in genealogies represent real individuals within God's unfolding story.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried descriptive or aspirational meaning. A name meaning 'brotherly' likely reflected a valued social ideal of close kinship loyalty and solidarity within the tribe and family unit. This differs from modern naming conventions, where meaning is often secondary to sound or family tradition.
אָח (ʼāch, H251) — The root word, meaning 'brother'. אֲחִי (ʼăchî, H277) — Another proper name derived from 'brother', meaning 'my brother'.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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