חֻשָׁם (chu.sham)
chu.sham
Husham
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Chusham, or Husham, appears four times in the Hebrew Bible as a proper noun referring to an early king of Edom. First recorded in Genesis 36:34 and repeated in 1 Chronicles 1:45, he is listed among the rulers who reigned before the establishment of the Israelite monarchy. The sources identify him as a contemporary of the Patriarchal era, anchoring his historical context within the genealogies of Esau’s descendants.
Linguistically, the name is interpreted to mean "haste" or "speed." This etymology suggests a personal characteristic or perhaps a familial tradition associated with swiftness. While the biblical narrative does not elaborate on his specific deeds or reign, the repetition of the name in both the Genesis and Chronicles accounts underscores the importance of preserving Edomite royal lineages alongside those of Israel.
Chusham’s inclusion serves as a marker of historical continuity for readers interested in the political landscape of the ancient Near East. By listing him among the "kings who reigned before any king reigned over the Israelites," the text highlights a distinct history for Edom that predates the unified kingdom of David and Solomon. The name itself, meaning haste, remains a static identifier in these lists, offering no further narrative detail beyond his status as a regional ruler.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Husham appears in the genealogies of Esau, marking him as a king of Edom who ruled before Israel had its own monarchy. His name carries the meaning of haste or speed, yet his role in Scripture is one of quiet continuity rather than dramatic action. He is remembered simply as a ruler who held power during a specific era, bridging the time between Jobab and Hadad.
For readers today, these lists remind us that God’s story includes many nations and peoples beyond Israel. The careful preservation of Edomite kings shows that history matters to the biblical writers. Even names like Husham, which might seem obscure, are part of a larger tapestry of human experience under God’s sovereignty.
When we encounter such brief mentions, we are invited to trust in the reliability of Scripture. Every name listed has been kept for our instruction, pointing to a world where God was active among all peoples. We can find comfort in knowing that no detail is too small for His record.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Husham4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חוּשָׁ֖ם1×
- חוּשָׁ֑ם1×
- חֻשָׁ֖ם1×
- חֻשָׁ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:34
Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
This verse establishes Husham as the successor to Jobab, anchoring his reign within the specific lineage of Esau's descendants.
-
Genesis 36:35
Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.
Here we see the transition of power from Husham to Hadad, showing how the Edomite monarchy functioned through successive rulers.
-
I Chronicles 1:45
Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
The repetition in Chronicles confirms the historical accuracy and importance of preserving this royal line for later generations.