כִּמְהָם
Kimham, an Israelite
Definition
Kimham is a proper noun referring to an Israelite individual, likely a son of Barzillai the Gileadite (2 Samuel 19:37-38). He is mentioned in the context of David's return to Jerusalem after Absalom's rebellion, where Barzillai, an elderly supporter, declines the king's offer to come to the royal court and instead suggests that Kimham go in his place (2 Samuel 19:37-38). The name appears again in 2 Samuel 19:40, where Kimham accompanies David across the Jordan. Centuries later, a location named after him, 'the habitation of Chimham' (Jeremiah 41:17), is referenced as a stopping point near Bethlehem for those fleeing after Gedaliah's assassination, suggesting his name became attached to a land grant or settlement.
Biblical Usage
The name Kimham is used exclusively as a proper noun in the Old Testament, appearing four times. It is found in the historical narrative of 2 Samuel 19, detailing the aftermath of Absalom's revolt (2 Samuel 19:37, 38, 40). Its final occurrence is in the prophetic book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 41:17), where it denotes a geographical location ('the habitation of Chimham') near Bethlehem, indicating the name's legacy endured in a place name.
Etymology
The name Kimham (כִּמְהָם) is derived from the Hebrew root כָּמַהּ (kāmah, H3642), meaning 'to pine after, to long for.' It is a participial form, suggesting a meaning like 'pining' or 'longing one.' This etymology implies the name carries a sense of yearning or deep desire.
Semantic Range
Kimham's story, though brief, illustrates themes of covenant loyalty and generational blessing. His father, Barzillai, showed great kindness to King David in a time of crisis. David's reciprocal offer to care for Barzillai's son (2 Samuel 19:37-38) demonstrates the biblical principle of honoring faithful service and the transfer of blessing to the next generation. The lasting geographical reference in Jeremiah 41:17 may symbolize the enduring legacy of loyalty to God's anointed king.
In ancient Israelite culture, a father's recommendation of his son to the king's court was a significant act, securing the family's future status and provision. The subsequent association of Kimham's name with a landholding near Bethlehem (Jeremiah 41:17) fits a pattern where loyal servants or their descendants were rewarded with grants of land, creating a lasting family estate and memorializing their service.
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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