חוֹתָם (cho.tam)
cho.tam
Hotham
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name ḥotam means "seal" in Hebrew. It appears only twice in the Bible, both times as a personal name for men from the tribe of Asher. In 1 Chronicles 7:32, Hotham is listed as a descendant of Heber and brother to Japhlet and Shomer. Later, in 1 Chronicles 11:44, he is identified as the father of Shama and Jeiel, two of David’s mighty warriors.
This brief name carries a distinct image. A seal was used to mark ownership or verify authenticity in ancient times. By naming his sons ḥotam, these families may have emphasized their identity or status within the tribe. The repetition of this uncommon name across generations suggests it held special significance for them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name ḥotam carries the weight of a seal, an ancient tool used to mark ownership and verify authenticity. When we encounter this word in Scripture, it reminds us that our identity is not self-made but secured by God. Just as a seal protected documents and declared who they belonged to, your life is marked by the Creator’s care.
In 1 Chronicles, this name appears among the genealogies of Asher, linking ordinary families to the larger story of Israel. It suggests that even those whose names are briefly mentioned were part of a lineage preserved by God. This offers comfort: no one in God’s family is forgotten or overlooked.
Whether you feel unnoticed or uncertain about your place, remember that you bear the mark of His grace. Your life is authenticated by Christ, who seals believers with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Rest in the truth that you are known, claimed, and kept by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hotham2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חוֹתָ֥ם1×
- חוֹתָ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 7:32
Heber became the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and Shua their sister.
This verse lists Hotham among Heber’s sons, showing how the name was used within a tribal lineage to preserve family identity.
-
I Chronicles 11:44
Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
Here, Hotham is identified as the father of warriors serving David, linking the name to strength and faithful service in Israel’s history.