לְהָבִים (le.ha.vim)
le.ha.vim
Lehabim
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The proper noun lehabim identifies a specific group within the Table of Nations, listed as descendants of Mizraim (Egypt) in Genesis 10:13 and recorded again in 1 Chronicles 1:12. This brief genealogical mention places them among other ancient Egyptian tribes such as the Ludim and Pathrusim, anchoring their identity firmly within the early biblical understanding of Egypt’s population.
Lexical sources translate the name as "flames" or "burning ones," likely deriving from the Hebrew root for fire. This etymology suggests a descriptive title for the tribe, though the text does not elaborate on why this particular imagery was chosen. The word appears only twice in Scripture, serving as a historical marker rather than a theological concept.
Because the term is restricted to these genealogical lists, it offers no further narrative context or moral instruction. Its primary value lies in mapping the ancient world’s ethnic divisions, showing how early Israelite tradition categorized neighboring peoples and their origins through simple, descriptive names.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Lehabim appears in the genealogical records of Genesis and Chronicles, identifying a group descended from Mizraim, the son of Ham. Lexical studies suggest the Hebrew root relates to fire or flames, which may have served as a descriptive title for this ancient tribe within Egypt’s broader population.
While these verses do not offer direct moral instruction, they remind us that God’s providence extends over all nations and peoples. The careful recording of such names in Scripture affirms the historical reality of the ancient world and shows how early Israelite tradition understood its neighbors.
This word invites reflection on the diversity of human origins while pointing to the unity of humanity under God’s creative order. It encourages a respectful curiosity about history, trusting that every detail in Scripture contributes to our understanding of God’s faithful governance over time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] Lehabites2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְהָבִ֖ים2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:13
Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,
This verse places Lehabim within the Table of Nations, showing how early Israelite tradition categorized Egyptian tribes alongside Ludim and Anamim.
-
I Chronicles 1:11
Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,
The parallel record in Chronicles reaffirms the genealogical listing, emphasizing the historical continuity of these tribal identities across generations.