הָ֑ם (ham)
ham
Ham
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ham refers to a specific location mentioned only once in Scripture, in Genesis 14:5. It is identified as the place where Chedorlaomer and his allied kings defeated the Zuzim. The text places this site likely within the territory of Ammon, east of the Jordan River, though its exact geographical coordinates remain uncertain to modern scholars.
Etymologically, the name is associated with the root meaning "hot" or "sunburnt," a fitting descriptor for the arid landscape of that region. Some ancient traditions suggest it may be an alternative name for Ammon itself. Because the Bible provides no further details about this settlement, it serves primarily as a marker in the narrative of the kings’ military campaign rather than a center of theological significance.
This rare occurrence highlights how ancient texts often preserve place names that have since faded from historical memory. The mention of Ham grounds the story of Genesis 14 in a real, albeit obscure, geography. It reminds readers that the conflicts described in Scripture are set against a backdrop of specific lands and peoples, even those whose names survive in only a single verse.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ham appears in a single verse within the Bible, marking a specific location where ancient kings clashed. While we may not know its exact coordinates today, its presence reminds us that the events recorded in Scripture are grounded in real places and peoples. This detail invites us to trust that God’s narrative unfolds within actual history, not just abstract ideas.
For your faith, this rare mention encourages confidence in the reliability of the biblical text. Even obscure details like Ham serve as anchors, connecting spiritual truths to tangible reality. You can find comfort in knowing that every element of Scripture, no matter how small, contributes to a coherent and trustworthy witness of God’s work in the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Ham1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/הָ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 14:5
In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
This occurrence identifies Ham as the site where Chedorlaomer defeated the Zuzim, serving as a geographical marker for the military campaign described in Genesis 14.