לְהָבִים
Lehabim, a son of Mizraim, and his descendants
Definition
Lehabim is a proper noun referring to a people group descended from Mizraim (Egypt), listed among the sons of Ham in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:13, 1 Chronicles 1:11). The name is understood to denote a specific ethnic lineage or tribe, likely located in or near Egypt. While the exact historical identification remains debated, many scholars associate Lehabim with the Libyans or other North African peoples. The biblical text presents them simply as one of the foundational clans in the post-flood world, contributing to the genealogical framework of Genesis and Chronicles.
Biblical Usage
The word 'Lehabim' is used exclusively in genealogical lists, appearing only twice in the Old Testament. Both occurrences are in identical contexts, listing the descendants of Mizraim (Egypt). It is found in the foundational Table of Nations in Genesis 10:13 and is repeated in the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 1:11. Its usage is purely for ethnic and ancestral identification within the biblical historical framework.
Etymology
The name 'Lehabim' (לְהָבִים) is the plural form of the Hebrew word 'lahab' (H3851), meaning 'flame' or 'blade' (as of a sword). This suggests the name may have originally carried a descriptive meaning, perhaps 'flames' or 'flashings,' possibly connoting fierceness or a gleaming weapon. As a proper name for a people, the literal meaning of 'flames' became an ethnic identifier, a common pattern in Hebrew nomenclature.
Semantic Range
Lehabim's inclusion in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10) underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all peoples and nations from the very beginning. It highlights that God's plan of redemption, initiated through Abraham's line, unfolds within a specific, real-world historical and ethnic context. Understanding these names enriches the reading of Scripture by grounding its narrative in the tapestry of human families descended from Noah.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, genealogies like the one containing Lehabim were not mere lists but served as historical, political, and territorial claims. Listing Lehabim as a descendant of Mizraim (Egypt) placed this people within the understood world order, associating them with the Egyptian sphere of influence. For the original Israelite audience, this identified Lehabim as a neighboring or known ethnic group, part of the family of nations.
Mizraim (Mitsrayim, H4714) — The progenitor (Egypt), of whom Lehabim is a descendant. Ludim (Lûwdîym, H3866) — Another people group listed as a 'son' of Mizraim in the same verses (Genesis 10:13). Pathrusim (Pathrûwçîym, H6625) — Another people group listed as a 'son' of Mizraim in the same verses (Genesis 10:14).
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 →