אַפַּיִם (ap.pa.yim)
ap.pa.yim
Appaim
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Appaim is a proper name found in only two verses, both within the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles (2:30–31). It identifies a son of Nadab, a member of the tribe of Judah, and serves as the progenitor of a lineage that includes Seled and Ishi. Because it appears exclusively in these lists, the word carries no narrative weight or theological instruction; it functions purely to preserve tribal ancestry.
The name itself translates literally to "nostrils." In Hebrew, this term can refer to the physical nose or, metaphorically, to anger or breath (as in expressions of divine wrath). However, as a personal name, it likely reflects a characteristic trait, a place of origin, or simply a unique family designation rather than a specific moral quality. Its brevity and rarity make it a quiet marker of continuity within the broader Judahite family tree.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Genealogies often feel like long lists of names that skip over our own story. Yet these records are not just administrative data; they are a testament to God’s faithfulness in preserving every branch of His people. Appaim, a son of Nadab and father of Ishi, appears here to ensure his line is remembered alongside the more prominent figures of Judah.
This quiet inclusion reminds us that God sees and values every individual within the community of faith. Even when we feel obscure or overlooked in the grand narrative, our place in God’s family is secure. His care extends to the details of our ancestry and identity, weaving each life into a larger tapestry of grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Appaim1×
- Appaim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אַפָּ֑יִם1×
- אַפַּ֖יִם1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:30
The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim; but Seled died without children.
This verse establishes Appaim as a son of Nadab, anchoring him within the specific tribal lineage of Judah.
-
I Chronicles 2:31
The son of Appaim: Ishi. The son of Ishi: Sheshan. The son of Sheshan: Ahlai.
Here Appaim is identified as the father of Ishi, continuing the generational record that preserves tribal heritage.