Who was Hodesh in the Bible?

Hodesh was one of the wives of Shaharaim, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. She is listed as the mother of several of his children, specifically Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah (1 Chronicles 8:8-10).

Why is Hodesh mentioned in the Bible?

Hodesh is mentioned to document the lineage and family structure within the tribe of Benjamin. Her inclusion helps establish the genealogical record that was crucial for Israel's tribal identity and inheritance rights.

What is the significance of Hodesh's story?

While no key events of her life are recorded, Hodesh's significance lies in her role as a mother within a detailed genealogy. Her mention highlights how the Bible often honors women through their vital contribution to family and tribal history.

Hodesh

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyFemaleWife

Hodesh was one of the wives of Shaharaim, a Benjamite, and the mother of several of his children.

Hodesh

Biography

Hodesh was one of the wives of Shaharaim, a Benjamite who had settled in the land of Moab, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 8:9. Her name means "new moon" in Hebrew, possibly suggesting a birth or naming connected to a lunar celebration. In the genealogical list of 1 Chronicles 8, Hodesh is specifically credited as the mother of seven sons, Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachiah, and Mirmah, each described as a head of household within the tribe of Benjamin. This makes her a matriarch of considerable genealogical significance. Shaharaim is noted as having previously sent away two other wives, Hushim and Baara, before begetting children through Hodesh, suggesting her union was the one from which his recognized lineage in Moab descended.

Significance

Hodesh is one of the relatively few women named in the extensive genealogical lists of Chronicles, a distinction that signals the recognized importance of her maternal role in preserving Benjamite lineage. The seven sons attributed to her, each described as heads of their own households, suggest she was a woman of prolific and lasting influence within her community. In biblical genealogy, the naming of mothers is not incidental; it underscores that women were recognized as essential transmitters of covenant identity and tribal continuity. Hodesh's story, though told in only a few verses, quietly affirms that the faithfulness of ordinary women contributed to the larger story of God's covenant people enduring and multiplying across generations.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 8:9

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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