Who was Hushim in the Bible?

Hushim was a son of Shaharaim, a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, born while his father was living in the country of Moab (1 Chronicles 8:8, 11). He is listed in a genealogy, and his name appears only in this context.

Why is Hushim mentioned in the Bible?

Hushim is mentioned to preserve the genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin, which was crucial for establishing lineage, tribal identity, and land inheritance in ancient Israel. His inclusion shows that the Israelite lineage continued even during periods when families lived outside the Promised Land, like in Moab.

Are there any stories about Hushim in the Bible?

No, there are no narrative stories or key events recorded about Hushim's life. The Bible only records his name and lineage within the genealogy of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 8:8-11, with no further details about his actions or significance.

Hushim

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyFemaleSon

Hushim was one of the sons of Shaharaim, a Benjamite, born to him in the country of Moab.

Hushim

Biography

Hushim was one of the wives of Shaharaim, a Benjamite who had settled in the land of Moab, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 8:8-11. Shaharaim fathered children through multiple wives: he eventually dismissed Hushim and Baara before taking Hodesh, through whom he fathered additional sons in Moab. The text notes that Hushim bore Shaharaim's sons Abitub and Elpaal. This account appears within the extended Benjamite genealogies that the Chronicler preserves in 1 Chronicles 8, tracing the lineage connected ultimately to King Saul. Hushim represents one of the women in Benjamin's genealogical record whose maternal contribution is acknowledged, even though the broader narrative focuses on the male line. Her sons, Abitub and Elpaal, continued the Benjamite tribal lineage.

Significance

Hushim's presence in the Benjamite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 8 contributes to a fuller picture of how tribal lines were maintained and diversified across different lands and circumstances. The account of Shaharaim's family in Moab reflects the historical reality of Israelite families living outside the promised land, a diaspora reality that the postexilic community would have found personally resonant. Though Hushim was later dismissed by her husband, her sons' names are preserved in sacred genealogy, implying that God's purposes through family lines are not negated by personal rejection or social displacement. Her story subtly affirms the dignity and genealogical significance of women within Israel's tribal heritage.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 8:8 1Chr 8:11

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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