אֵחוּד
Echud, the name of three Israelites
Definition
אֵחוּד (Echud) is a proper noun referring to the name of three different Israelites in the Old Testament. It is derived from the root meaning 'to be united,' suggesting a name that conveys unity or oneness. The primary biblical reference is in 1 Chronicles 8:6, where Echud is listed as a son of Gera, a Benjamite. While the name appears only once in this specific form, it is closely related to the more common name 'Ehud' (אֵהוּד, H164), a judge of Israel (Judges 3:15). The variation in spelling (Echud vs. Ehud) may reflect different individuals or textual traditions, but both names share the same etymological root and concept.
Biblical Usage
The word אֵחוּד is used exclusively as a personal name in genealogical lists within the Old Testament. Its sole occurrence is in 1 Chronicles 8:6, within the extensive genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin. This context is typical for many Hebrew names recorded in Chronicles, serving to preserve family lineage and tribal identity. Unlike the similar name Ehud, which appears in the narrative of Judges 3:15-30 as a deliverer of Israel, Echud is not associated with any story or action; it functions purely as an identifier in a list of descendants.
Etymology
The name אֵחוּד (Echud) derives from the Hebrew root אָחַד (ʼāchad, H258), meaning 'to be united, to be one.' It is a nominal form implying 'union' or 'united one.' This root is also the source of the important word אֶחָד (ʼechad, H259), meaning 'one,' which is famously used in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4, 'The LORD is one'). The name is a cognate of the more frequently occurring אֵהוּד (Ehud, H164), with the variation likely stemming from dialectical or orthographic differences in ancient Hebrew.
Semantic Range
While the name Echud itself is not central to major theological doctrines, its etymological connection to the root for 'oneness' (אָחַד) is significant. This root underpins the biblical concept of God's unique, unified nature (Deuteronomy 6:4) and the ideal of unity among His people (e.g., Psalm 133:1). Understanding that personal names in Scripture often carried meaningful attributes reminds the reader that identity in ancient Israel was frequently tied to spiritual concepts or divine characteristics. The preservation of such names in genealogies like 1 Chronicles highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises through specific family lines.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were not merely labels but often conveyed meaning, hope, or circumstance. A name like Echud ('united one') may have reflected parental aspirations for the child's character or role within the community, or it might have commemorated an event or sentiment at the time of birth. Its appearance in a Benjamite genealogy (1 Chronicles 8) underscores the importance of tribal and familial identity in post-exilic Israel, as the people sought to reconnect with their heritage. The slight spelling difference from the judge 'Ehud' illustrates the common practice of name variation within families or across generations.
אֵהוּד (Ehud, H164) — A more common variant of the same name, borne by the left-handed judge who delivered Israel from Moabite oppression (Judges 3:15).
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.
Full methodology & sources →