Who was Hammuel in the Bible?

Hammuel was a man from the tribe of Simeon, identified as the son of Mishma and a grandson of Simeon's founder. He is listed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4:24-26, which trace the lineage of the Israelite tribes.

Why is Hammuel mentioned in the Bible?

Hammuel's significance lies primarily in his inclusion in the official genealogy of the tribe of Simeon. These records were crucial for establishing tribal identity, land inheritance, and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs, as seen throughout the Old Testament.

What key events was Hammuel involved in?

The Bible does not record any specific events in Hammuel's life. His mention is strictly genealogical, serving to connect his father, Mishma, to the broader lineage of the tribe of Simeon within the nation of Israel (1 Chronicles 4:24-26).

Hammuel

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Hammuel, a descendant of Simeon, was the son of Mishma.

Hammuel

Biography

Hammuel was a man of the tribe of Simeon, named in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4:26 as the son of Mishma and the father of Zaccur. His lineage places him within the Simeonite clan descended from Mishma, who was himself a son of Mibsam son of Shimei. The name Hammuel likely means "wrath of God" or "heat of God" in Hebrew. Though the biblical text provides no narrative details about his life or deeds, his placement in the Chronicler's detailed Simeonite genealogy indicates his recognized importance within his tribal community. Simeon, as one of the twelve tribes of Israel, had a complex history, its territory was eventually absorbed within Judah, and its genealogical records preserved the identities of clan heads like Hammuel across generations.

Significance

Hammuel's significance is primarily genealogical: he represents a link in the Simeonite tribal chain recorded by the Chronicler, whose careful genealogical work in 1 Chronicles 1–9 served the post-exilic community by affirming the continuity and completeness of Israel's tribal identity. For the returning exiles, such records were not mere antiquarian curiosity but vital proof of lineage, land rights, and covenant membership. Hammuel exemplifies the many individuals whose names are preserved in Scripture not for dramatic deeds but because their existence mattered to the ongoing story of God's covenant with Israel.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:26

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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