גְּנֻבַת (ge.nu.vat)
ge.nu.vat
Genubath
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Genubath appears only once in Scripture, at 1 Kings 11:20, identifying a young man within the complex political landscape of the United Monarchy. He is described as the son of Hadad, an Edomite royal who fled to Egypt, and Tahpenes’s sister. This brief mention places him at the intersection of Edomite resistance and Egyptian influence during Solomon’s reign.
Linguistically, the name derives from a root meaning "to steal" or "theft." While this etymology might seem unusual for a royal figure, it likely serves as a descriptive personal name rather than a literal statement about his character. In ancient Near Eastern naming conventions, such terms often carried symbolic weight or reflected specific family circumstances at the time of birth.
The scarcity of references underscores how Genubath functions primarily as a genealogical marker. His inclusion highlights the diplomatic ties between Edom and Egypt, illustrating how foreign royal families interacted with Israel’s monarchy. The name itself remains a linguistic artifact, preserving a moment in history where geopolitical alliances were forged through marriage and exile.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in Scripture often carry stories that stretch far beyond a simple label. Genubath, mentioned only once in 1 Kings 11:20, stands as a quiet witness to the complex political tides of Solomon’s reign. His name, derived from a root meaning theft, might seem strange for a royal figure raised in Pharaoh’s house. Yet, such names often reflected family circumstances or symbolic hopes rather than literal character traits.
His presence highlights how ancient alliances were forged through marriage and exile. For us, this reminds us that God’s plan unfolds within real human histories, including those of foreign nations and displaced families. We see that even those on the margins of Israel’s story are part of a broader narrative where sovereignty and diplomacy intersect.
This brief mention invites us to appreciate the depth of biblical history. It shows that every name, no matter how obscure, holds a place in the record of God’s dealings with the world. We can find comfort in knowing that our own lives, with all their complexities, are similarly woven into a meaningful divine tapestry.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Genubath2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גְּנֻבַ֣ת1×
- גְנֻבַת֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 11:20
The sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s house among the sons of Pharaoh.
This verse identifies Genubath as the son of Hadad and Tahpenes’s sister, marking him as a figure raised in Pharaoh’s house during Solomon’s reign.