חָמוּלִי (cha.mu.li)
cha.mu.li
Hamulite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The word chamuli refers to a member of the Hamulite clan, a specific family group within the tribe of Judah. It functions as a gentilic adjective derived from the name Hamul, identifying individuals by their ancestral lineage rather than personal character or occupation.
This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 26:21, where it serves as a collective noun for the descendants of Hamul during the census taken before entering Canaan. The name Hamul itself is interpreted to mean "spared," linking this clan’s identity to a specific moment in Judah’s family history recorded in Genesis.
As a rare lexical item, chamuli highlights the biblical emphasis on tribal genealogy. It preserves the memory of Hamul, son of Perez and grandson of Judah, ensuring that this particular branch of the tribe remained distinct in Israel’s historical records.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hamul means 'spared' or 'merciful.' In Genesis, this title comes from a moment where Judah's son was spared during a time of danger. This single word in Numbers 26:21 reminds us that God remembers the small details of our family history. It shows that every branch of Israel, no matter how minor, had a place in God’s plan.
When you read this list of names, it is easy to feel distant from ancient people. Yet, this word connects us to the idea that mercy shapes identity. Hamul was spared, and his descendants carried that memory forward. For your faith, this suggests that your own story—your struggles and rescues—is part of a larger narrative. God keeps records of those He protects.
Even in genealogies, which can seem dry, there is warmth. The fact that Hamul’s name survives tells us that no life is forgotten by God. You are part of this same story of preservation. Your experiences of being spared or helped matter to Him just as much as they mattered to the ancestors of Judah.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Hamulite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הֶ/חָמוּלִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:21
The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.
This verse records the Hamulites as a distinct family group within the tribe of Judah during the second census, preserving their identity as descendants of Hamul.