הוֹד

Hod, an Israelite

Definition

Hod is the name of an Israelite, specifically a descendant of Asher, mentioned only once in the Bible. The name appears in the genealogy of the tribe of Asher in 1 Chronicles 7:37, where he is listed as a son of Zophah. As a proper noun, it functions solely as a personal identifier. The name is identical to the common Hebrew noun הוֹד (Hôwd, H1935), which means 'splendor,' 'majesty,' or 'glory,' suggesting the name may have carried a positive, aspirational meaning.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively as a proper name for an individual in the Old Testament. Its single occurrence is in a genealogical list within the Chronicler's record of the tribe of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:37). It appears in a context focused on lineage and tribal identity, with no narrative or descriptive details provided about the person.

Etymology

The name Hod is derived from the identical Hebrew common noun הוֹד (Hôwd, H1935), meaning 'splendor,' 'majesty,' or 'glory.' It shares a root with words like הָדַר (hādar, H1921), meaning 'to honor' or 'to adorn.' As a name, it follows the common biblical practice of using positive abstract nouns or attributes for personal names.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant and descriptive. Bearing a name like Hod ('splendor') likely reflected parental hopes for the child's character or destiny, or perhaps acknowledged an attribute of God. Its use in a genealogy underscores the importance of lineage and the preservation of tribal identity in Israel's historical records.

הוֹד (Hôwd, H1935) — This is the identical common noun meaning 'splendor' or 'majesty' from which the personal name is derived.

Word Details

Scripture References