דִּישֹׁן (di.shon)
di.shon
Dishon
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Dishon, meaning thresher, appears in Genesis and Chronicles as a member of the Edomite royal lineage. He is identified as one of the sons of Seir the Horite, placing him among the indigenous rulers of Edom before the rise of the Israelite monarchy. This genealogical record serves to document the historical landscape of the region, acknowledging the established families who inhabited the land prior to later political shifts.
Lexical sources note a potential distinction between Dishon and his relative Dishan (H1789), though some traditions treat them as variants or conflated figures. The name itself evokes agricultural imagery, likely referring to one who threshes grain with a sledge. This concrete detail grounds the biblical text in the daily realities of ancient pastoral life, linking royal ancestry to humble labor.
His inclusion in these lists highlights the Bible’s attention to non-Israelite history. By recording Dishon alongside figures like Lotan and Shobal, the text preserves the memory of Edom’s early structure. This approach affirms that God’s narrative encompasses all nations, not just Israel, providing a fuller picture of the world in which the patriarchs lived.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Dishon appears in Scripture as a member of the Edomite royal lineage, specifically noted as a son of Seir the Horite. His name carries the meaning of 'thresher,' evoking the image of someone who separates grain from chaff using heavy agricultural tools. This detail grounds the biblical narrative in the daily realities of ancient life, linking royal ancestry to humble, tangible labor.
The inclusion of Dishon alongside figures like Lotan and Shobal highlights the Bible’s attention to non-Israelite history. By recording these names, the text preserves the memory of Edom’s early structure and acknowledges the established families who inhabited the land before later political shifts. This approach affirms that God’s narrative encompasses all nations, not just Israel.
For your faith, this record serves as a reminder that Scripture values historical accuracy and cultural context. It shows that God’s story is woven through the lives of many peoples, offering a fuller picture of the world in which the patriarchs lived. You can find comfort in knowing that the Bible honors the complexity of human history while pointing to a single, overarching divine plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Dishon5×
- and/ Dishon2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/דִשׁ֥וֹן1×
- וְ/דִישֹׁ֥ן1×
- דִּשֹׁ֛ן1×
- דִּשֹׁ֑ן1×
- דִּישׁ֑וֹן\ \ס1×
- דִישׁ֖וֹן1×
- דִישׁ֔וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:21
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
This verse lists Dishon among the chiefs of the Horites, establishing his role in the indigenous leadership of Edom before the rise of Israelite monarchy.
-
Genesis 36:25
These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.
Here, Dishon is identified as a child of Anah, clarifying his specific familial lineage within the broader Horite clan structure.
-
I Chronicles 1:41
The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
This passage expands on Dishon’s descendants, listing Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran, which provides deeper genealogical detail for his branch of the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Dishon mean?
Is Dishon the same as Dishan?
Why is Dishon included in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
Genesis 36:25These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.
Genesis 36:30chief Dishon, chief Ezer, and chief Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, according to their chiefs in…