תּוּלוֹן

Tulon, an Israelite

Definition

Tulon (תּוּלוֹן) is a proper noun referring to an Israelite man, a descendant of Judah through the line of Shimon, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:20. He is listed among the sons of Shimon in a genealogical record. The name appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, and no additional narrative or historical details about his life or actions are provided. As a proper name, its significance is primarily genealogical, situating him within the tribal lineage of Judah.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles 4:20: 'And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon (תּוּלוֹן).' Its usage is strictly as a personal name within a chronicle of family descent, with no narrative context or repeated appearances in other books.

Etymology

The name תּוּלוֹן (Tûwlôwn) is derived from the Hebrew root תָּלַל (talal, H8524), which carries the sense of 'to suspend' or 'to hang.' It is related to words meaning 'to mock' or 'to deride,' possibly implying a hanging or dangling action used in ridicule. As a proper name, its exact intended meaning (e.g., 'suspended' or perhaps metaphorically 'mocked') is uncertain, but it follows a common Hebrew pattern of names formed from verbal roots.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaningful associations derived from verbs, nouns, or circumstances. While the precise reason for naming this individual 'Tulon' is lost, its connection to a root about suspension or derision might reflect a hope, an event, or a characteristic at his birth. Genealogical records like 1 Chronicles 4 were vital for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and priestly lineage, making even a single mention of a name part of preserving the community's memory and structure.

Word Details

Scripture References