יִשְׁפָּה

Jishpah, an Israelite

Definition

Yishpâh (Jishpah) is a proper noun identifying an individual in the genealogy of Benjamin. He is listed as a son of Beriah in 1 Chronicles 8:16. The name appears only in this genealogical context, and no further narrative details about his life or actions are provided in the biblical text. As a proper name, it serves primarily to establish lineage and tribal identity within the chronicler's record of the tribe of Benjamin.

Biblical Usage

The word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 8:16. Its usage is strictly genealogical, appearing within a list of Benjamin's descendants. There are no narrative contexts or patterns of usage beyond this single occurrence, which is typical for many minor personal names recorded in the Chronicler's genealogies.

Etymology

The name Yishpâh likely derives from the Hebrew root שָׁפָה (shâpâh, H8192), meaning 'to scrape, to shave, or to scratch.' As a proper name, it is probably a shortened or theophoric form meaning 'He (i.e., God) will scratch' or 'May He scrape.' This follows a common pattern where Hebrew personal names are verb-based statements about God's character or hoped-for action.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant and conveyed meaning about circumstances at birth, parental hopes, or attributes of God. While the specific significance of 'Yishpâh' is unclear, its inclusion in a detailed genealogy underscores the cultural and religious importance of tribal lineage and identity for the post-exilic community reading 1 Chronicles. Recording such names preserved the memory of the tribe's composition.

Beriah (Bĕriyʻâh, H1283) — His father, another proper name in the same lineage. | Shema (Shĕmaʻ, H8087) — A brother listed alongside him in 1 Chronicles 8:13.

Word Details

Scripture References