שׁוּחַ
Shuach, a son of Abraham
Definition
Shuach (שׁוּחַ) is a proper noun referring to a son of Abraham and his concubine Keturah, as recorded in Genesis 25:2 and 1 Chronicles 1:32. He is listed among the six sons born to Abraham after Sarah's death, making him a half-brother to Isaac. The name Shuach is also associated with a people group or region descended from him, likely located in the east. The biblical text provides no further narrative about Shuach himself, focusing instead on establishing his lineage within Abraham's extended family.
Biblical Usage
The word is used exclusively as a proper name in two genealogical lists. It appears in Genesis 25:2, which details the sons of Abraham and Keturah, and is repeated in the parallel genealogy of 1 Chronicles 1:32. In both contexts, Shuach is simply listed as one of six sons, with no accompanying stories or descriptions of his life or deeds. This pattern is typical for many names in biblical genealogies, which serve to trace lineage rather than provide biographical detail.
Etymology
The name Shuach is derived from the Hebrew root שׁוּחַ (shûach, H7743), a verb meaning 'to sink down,' 'bow down,' or 'be humbled.' This root can also refer to a physical depression or dell. As a personal name, it likely carried a descriptive or symbolic meaning, perhaps related to the character, destiny, or geographical origin of the individual or his descendants.
Semantic Range
While Shuach himself is a minor figure, his inclusion in Abraham's lineage is theologically significant. It demonstrates God's faithfulness in blessing Abraham with numerous descendants, as promised (Genesis 15:5). The listing of sons through Keturah, after the establishment of the covenant line through Isaac, shows the extent of Abraham's physical progeny, which would later include various Arabian tribes. It underscores the biblical theme that God's promises are fulfilled, even through secondary family lines.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, genealogies were crucial for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and tribal relationships. Naming a son often reflected circumstances, hopes, or physical traits. As a son born to a concubine after the primary heir (Isaac), Shuach's position placed him outside the direct covenant line but still within the blessed household of Abraham. His descendants were likely understood by the original audience to be among the peoples inhabiting the regions east of Canaan.
None directly applicable as a proper name.
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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