סוּחַ
Suach, an Israelite
Definition
Suach is a proper noun referring to an individual named in the genealogy of the tribe of Asher in 1 Chronicles 7:36. He is listed as a son of Zophah, making him a descendant of Asher. The name appears only in this genealogical context, and no other narrative or historical details about his life are provided in the biblical text. As a genealogical entry, its primary function is to establish lineage and tribal continuity within Israel.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 7:36, within a list of the descendants of Asher. It functions solely as a personal name in a genealogical record. There are no narrative contexts, patterns of usage, or variations in meaning, as it is a unique identifier for a single individual.
Etymology
The name Suach (סוּחַ) is derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to wipe away' or 'to sweep.' This suggests the name could carry a connotation of cleansing or removal. As a proper name, its exact semantic force for the individual is unclear, but it follows the common Hebrew practice of using words with descriptive meanings as personal names.
Semantic Range
While the individual Suach is not theologically prominent, his inclusion in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles underscores the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises through specific family lines. Genealogies like this one affirm the historical continuity of the tribes of Israel and the meticulous preservation of lineage, which was crucial for tribal identity, land inheritance, and ultimately for the lineage of the Messiah. Understanding that even a single-mention name is part of this divinely recorded tapestry enriches the reading of biblical lists.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant and descriptive. A name like Suach, potentially meaning 'sweeping,' may have reflected circumstances of birth, a parental hope, or an attribute. Being recorded in a tribal genealogy was a mark of identity and belonging, securing one's place in the history and inheritance of the people of Israel. For modern readers, a single name in a list can seem minor, but in its original context, it represented a vital link in the chain of community and covenant.
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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