עַמִּיהוּד

Ammihud, the name of three Israelites

Definition

Ammihud is a proper name given to three distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is the father of Elishama, a leader of the tribe of Ephraim during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 1:10, 7:48). The second is the father of Shemuel, a leader of the tribe of Simeon appointed to help divide the land of Canaan (Numbers 34:20). The third is the father of Pedahel, a leader of the tribe of Naphtali with the same land-division role (Numbers 34:28). In 1 Chronicles 7:26, an Ammihud is listed as an ancestor of Joshua, likely referring to the Ephraimite figure.

Biblical Usage

The name Ammihud appears exclusively in narrative and administrative contexts within the books of Numbers and 1 Chronicles. In Numbers, it is used in census lists (Numbers 1:10), tribal arrangement records (Numbers 2:18), and the registry of offerings (Numbers 7:48, 53). It also identifies fathers of tribal leaders assigned specific duties, such as marching order (Numbers 10:22) and land distribution (Numbers 34:20, 28). The single occurrence in 1 Chronicles 7:26 places Ammihud within a genealogical record of the tribe of Ephraim.

Etymology

The name is a compound of two Hebrew elements: 'am' (H5971), meaning 'people' or 'nation,' and 'hod' (H1935), meaning 'splendor,' 'majesty,' or 'glory.' Thus, the name translates to 'my people is glorious' or 'people of splendor.' It is a theophoric name, implicitly attributing the quality of splendor to God in relation to His people.

Semantic Range

While a personal name, Ammihud's etymology reflects a core Israelite identity rooted in a covenant relationship with a glorious God. It encapsulates the idea that the nation's dignity and honor are derived from Yahweh. In the context of the wilderness generation and the conquest, these bearers of the name—fathers of tribal leaders—subtly point to God's intention to establish a glorious people in the promised land. Understanding the name's meaning enriches the reading of these administrative lists, reminding us that behind each name is a story of divine calling and communal identity.

In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, describing character, destiny, or expressing theological truth. Ammihud is a 'patronymic' name, identifying an individual as 'the father of [someone important],' which was a common way to denote social standing and lineage. The name's positive connotation ('people of splendor') likely expressed parental hope or acknowledged God's favor upon the family or tribe.

Amminadab (H5992) — 'my people is noble'; combines 'am' (people) with 'nadab' (noble, willing). Ammiel (H5988) — 'my people is God'; combines 'am' (people) with 'el' (God).

Word Details

Scripture References