שְׁפוּפָם
Shephupham or Shephuphan, an Israelite
Definition
Shephupham (also spelled Shephuphan) is a proper name belonging to an Israelite, specifically a descendant of Benjamin. He is listed as a son of Bela and a grandson of Benjamin in the genealogical records found in Numbers 26:39 and 1 Chronicles 8:5. The name appears in two variant spellings within the biblical text itself, leading to the alternative form Shephuphan. As a personal name, it identifies an individual within the tribe of Benjamin, contributing to the historical and genealogical record of Israel's tribal structure.
Biblical Usage
This name is used exclusively in two Old Testament genealogical passages. It appears in the census of the Israelites taken in the plains of Moab, as recorded in Numbers 26:39. It is also found in the extensive Benjaminite genealogy provided in 1 Chronicles 8:5. In both contexts, the name serves a purely identificatory function, listing Shephupham as a son of Bela and thus establishing his lineage within the tribe of Benjamin. There is no narrative or descriptive usage beyond these genealogical lists.
Etymology
The name Shephupham (שְׁפוּפָם) or Shephuphan (שְׁפוּפָן) is derived from the same root as the Hebrew word שְׁפִיפֹן (shᵉphîyphôn, H8207), which means a 'horned snake' or 'viper.' The name likely carries the connotation of 'serpent-like.' This etymological connection suggests the name may have originally described a characteristic or was used symbolically, though its specific meaning as a personal name in the biblical record is not elaborated upon.
Semantic Range
The theological significance of Shephupham is minimal on its own, as it is primarily a historical identifier. However, its inclusion in the sacred genealogies underscores the Bible's emphasis on God's faithfulness to the covenant promises made to the patriarchs. Recording the names of individuals like Shephupham (Numbers 26:39, 1 Chronicles 8:5) affirms the importance of each tribe and family within the corporate identity of Israel, demonstrating God's meticulous care in preserving the lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning, describing a hoped-for characteristic, circumstance of birth, or an attribute. The serpentine etymology of Shephupham may reflect a cultural understanding or symbolism associated with the viper, which could represent danger, protection, or cunning. However, without further narrative context, the precise cultural reason for bestowing this name remains unclear. Its consistent placement in tribal genealogies highlights the cultural importance of lineage and ancestral identity.
Bela (בֶּלַע, H1106) — The father of Shephupham. Benjamin (בִּנְיָמִין, H1144) — The tribal patriarch to whose lineage Shephupham belongs.
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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