שָׁפָם
Shapham, an Israelite
Definition
Shapham is a proper name belonging to an Israelite from the tribe of Gad, mentioned in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 5:12. As a personal name, it identifies a specific individual within the lineage of the Gadites who settled east of the Jordan River. The name appears only in this single genealogical context, and no other meanings or senses are attested for this specific form in the biblical text. Its sole purpose is to record a member of the Transjordanian tribes during the time of King Jotham of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel.
Biblical Usage
The word שָׁפָם (Shapham) is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 5:12. It functions strictly as a personal name within a genealogical list detailing the prominent heads of families in the tribe of Gad. The context is a record of the tribes that lived east of the Jordan, highlighting their military strength and lineage. There are no other usages or patterns, as it is a unique identifier for one individual.
Etymology
The name Shapham appears to be derived from or formed similarly to the Hebrew word שְׁפָם (shepham, H8221), which refers to a geographical landmark, likely a 'bare' or 'bald' hill. This connection suggests the name may have originally described a physical characteristic (like baldness) or been associated with a location. It shares a root with words implying smoothness or being made bare.
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning, describing a person's character, a circumstance of birth, or a connection to a place or deity. While the precise meaning of 'Shapham' is uncertain, its potential link to a word for a 'bald' or bare place fits a common naming convention. Its inclusion in a chronicle of the Gadites underscores the importance of genealogy and tribal identity for establishing land rights, social standing, and continuity within the covenant community.
שְׁפָם (Shepham, H8221) — A geographical name for a place, likely a bare hill, from which the personal name Shapham may be derived.
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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