חֲקוּפָא (cha.qu.pah)
cha.qu.pah
Hakupha
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 ḥăqûp̄ā appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Ezra 2:51 and Nehemiah 7:53 as part of the list of families returning from Babylonian exile. It identifies a specific household head among those who rebuilt Jerusalem under Zerubbabel’s leadership, anchoring this individual within the historical narrative of restoration.
Linguistically, the name derives from a root meaning “to bend” or “to bow,” suggesting the translation “bent one.” While this might initially sound negative, in ancient naming conventions such physical descriptors often served as distinctive identifiers rather than moral judgments. It likely referred to a notable posture or perhaps a humble stance before God.
Its rarity highlights how the biblical record preserves ordinary names alongside major figures. By including ḥăqûp̄ā in these census lists, the text affirms that the return from exile involved not just leaders but entire families and communities, each contributing to the restoration of Israel’s identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name ḥăqûp̄ā appears in Ezra and Nehemiah as part of the census of those who returned from exile. It identifies a family head among many others listed by name. This simple record shows that God remembers ordinary people alongside leaders like Zerubbabel.
While the name may mean 'bent one,' ancient naming often used physical traits as identifiers rather than judgments. For you, this reminds you that your place in God’s story is secure even when you feel overlooked. Every family listed contributed to rebuilding Jerusalem.
Your faithfulness matters just as much as those in the spotlight. God sees the quiet work of restoration in your daily life. You are part of a larger community where every member has value and purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hakupha2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲקוּפָ֖א2×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:51
the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
This verse lists Hakupha among the returning families, showing how individual names were preserved in the restoration record.
-
Nehemiah 7:53
the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
The repetition of this name in Nehemiah confirms its importance to the community’s identity after exile.