חֲשׂוּפָא (cha.su.pah)
cha.su.pah
Hasupha
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 ḥăśûp̄āʾ, rendered Hasupha or Hashupha in English Bibles, literally means "stripped" or "naked." It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the genealogical lists of Ezra and Nehemiah. In these contexts, it identifies a specific individual who served as the head of a family among the Nethinim, or temple servants, during the return from Babylonian exile.
This personal name offers a rare glimpse into how identity was constructed in post-exilic Judah. While many names invoked divine attributes or actions, ḥăśûפָא reflects a state of being. The sources suggest it may have been descriptive of an ancestor’s condition or perhaps adopted to signify humility before God, marking the family’s distinct role in restoring worship in Jerusalem.
Its scarcity in Scripture underscores the meticulous nature of the census records in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7. These lists were not merely administrative but served to re-establish tribal and familial lines for those returning to their land. By preserving names like ḥăśûפָא, the text ensures that even a single head of a temple servant family is remembered within the broader narrative of restoration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name ḥăśûp̄āʾ means "stripped" or "naked." It appears only twice in Scripture, identifying a family head among the temple servants who returned from exile. This rare name reminds us that God values every person, regardless of their status or background. Even those with humble origins are remembered in His records.
When we read about Hasupha in Ezra and Nehemiah, we see how God preserves the identities of ordinary people. These lists were not just administrative; they showed that every family had a place in restoring worship. Your life matters to God too, even if it feels small or unnoticed.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hasupha2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲשׂוּפָ֖א1×
- חֲשֻׂפָ֖א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:43
The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
This verse lists the children of Hasupha among the temple servants, showing their specific role in post-exilic worship restoration.
-
Nehemiah 7:46
The temple servants: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
The repetition of this name confirms the family's continued presence and service in Jerusalem after the return from Babylon.