Who was Shuppim in the Bible?

Shuppim was a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, identified as a son of Ir (also called Iri). He is mentioned in the genealogical records of Benjamin's family line (1 Chronicles 7:12, 15).

Why is Shuppim mentioned in the Bible?

Shuppim's mention preserves the genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin, which was important for establishing lineage, tribal inheritance, and identity in ancient Israel. His listing helps trace the family structure from Benjamin down to King Saul.

Are there any stories about Shuppim in the Bible?

No, the Bible does not record any specific stories or key events from Shuppim's life. He appears only in genealogical lists, with no narrative about his actions or deeds.

Shuppim

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon

Shuppim was a Benjamite descendant, the son of Ir (or Iri), mentioned in the genealogy of Benjamin.

Shuppim

Biography

Shuppim was a Benjamite, recorded in 1 Chronicles 7:12 as a son of Ir (or Iri), appearing in the fragmentary genealogy of Benjamin preserved in that chapter. The Benjamite genealogies in 1 Chronicles 7-8 are among the most textually complex in Chronicles, with overlapping lists, varying names, and possible scribal difficulties, making precise identification of individuals challenging. Shuppim is listed in a section that may include descendants of Dan or Naphtali as well, according to some textual analyses, reflecting the overlapping nature of these records. The name Shuppim also appears as Muppim and Huppim in other genealogical lists (Genesis 46:21; Numbers 26:39), suggesting possible textual variant traditions for the same individual or related clan names.

Significance

Shuppim's appearance in the Benjamite genealogies underscores the importance of preserving tribal identity records within the Hebrew Bible, particularly for Benjamin, a tribe that suffered near-extinction after the civil war at Gibeah (Judges 19-21) and subsequently produced Saul, Israel's first king. The careful preservation of Benjamite genealogies in Chronicles reflects the post-exilic community's commitment to reconstituting the full twelve-tribe identity of Israel. Even minor genealogical figures like Shuppim contributed to the unbroken chain of ancestral memory that allowed returning exiles to know who they were and to whom they belonged. This genealogical continuity is itself a testimony to God's covenant faithfulness in preserving his people through centuries of history.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 7:12 1Chr 7:15

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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