עַמִּיהוּד (am.mi.hud)

The name Ammihud appears in the Hebrew Bible as a personal identifier rather than a common noun, meaning "my kinsman is majesty" or "my people is glory." It surfaces in ten verses, primarily within historical records of Israel’s tribes during the wilderness wanderings and the early monarchy. The sources identify several distinct individuals bearing this name, linking them to significant tribal lineages such as Ephraim, Simeon, Naphtali, Judah, and even the foreign ruler Talmai of Geshur.

One prominent figure is Ammihud, father of Elishama, who served as a chief among the Israelites at the time of the Exodus (Numbers 1:10). Another appears in Chronicles as the father of Pedahel, prince of Naphtali. The recurrence of this name across different tribes suggests it was a recognized title of honor within ancient Israelite society, reflecting a theological conviction that divine majesty was intimately connected to communal identity and kinship.

Its etymology combines am (people or kinsman) with hud (majesty or glory). This construction places the collective people in relation to divine honor, a theme echoed in other biblical names like Immanuel. The name’s presence in genealogies from the wilderness period through the time of King David underscores its enduring significance in tracing the sacred history of Israel's tribal structure.