בֻּקִּי
Bukki, the name of two Israelites
Definition
Bukki is a proper name given to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first Bukki was a prince of the tribe of Dan, appointed by Moses to help divide the land of Canaan (Numbers 34:22). The second Bukki was a descendant of Aaron, the son of Abishua and father of Uzzi, listed in the priestly genealogy (1 Chronicles 6:5, 51; Ezra 7:4). Both men hold positions of tribal or priestly leadership, though their specific stories are not narrated beyond these genealogical and administrative roles.
Biblical Usage
The name Bukki appears exclusively in genealogical and administrative lists within the historical books. It is used in Numbers 34:22 in the context of land division leadership. In 1 Chronicles 6:5, 51 and Ezra 7:4, it appears within the crucial lineage of the high priests, tracing the Aaronic line through the exile and return. All four occurrences simply identify individuals by name within a list.
Etymology
The name Bukki (בֻּקִּי) is derived from the Hebrew root בָּקַק (bāqaq, H1238), which means 'to empty out' or 'to waste.' It is likely a shortened form (hypocoristicon) of a longer name containing this root, possibly meaning 'wasted of Yahweh' or similar. As a personal name, the precise semantic force of the root is not active in its usage; it simply serves as an identifier.
Semantic Range
While the name Bukki itself is not theologically loaded, its placement is significant. Its appearance in the priestly genealogy (1 Chronicles 6, Ezra 7) underscores the meticulous preservation of the Aaronic line, a core component of Israel's identity and worship system. This continuity, even through the Babylonian exile, highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant with Phinehas (cf. Numbers 25:10-13) and ensures the legitimacy of the post-exilic priesthood.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful, derived from words describing circumstances, hopes, or attributes. Bukki, meaning 'wasteful,' may seem negative, but it was likely understood as part of a longer theophoric name (incorporating God's name) whose full meaning is lost. Its use for two leaders indicates the name was acceptable and did not carry a negative social stigma in its applied form.
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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