רַ֫חַם (ra.cham)
ra.cham
Raham
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Raham appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:44 as a member of the tribe of Judah. He is identified as the son of Shema and the father of Jorkeam, placing him within the genealogical lines connected to Caleb during the period of the Divided Monarchy.
Etymologically, the name derives from the Hebrew root for "belly" or "womb." While this root frequently generates words related to compassion in later biblical usage, here it functions strictly as a proper noun. The sources suggest the meaning may simply be "belly," though some interpretations have playfully linked it to "girl-like" without definitive consensus.
As a rare personal name with only a single scriptural occurrence, Raham serves as a minor but concrete link in the historical record of Judah. His inclusion preserves the continuity of the tribal lineage, anchoring the text in specific family connections rather than abstract theology.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Raham appears just once in Scripture, recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:44 as a link in the genealogy of Judah. His inclusion reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through real people with specific names and family ties. This single mention preserves his place in the lineage that leads to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ.
While the root of his name relates to the womb or belly, often associated with deep compassion in other parts of the Bible, here it simply identifies a man in a long line of ancestors. We do not know his personal story, but his presence shows that every generation matters in God’s record. It is a quiet assurance that no one in the family tree is forgotten.
This genealogy invites us to trust that God works through ordinary lives and historical details. Even when our own stories feel small or unnoticed, we are part of a larger narrative held by God. We can find comfort in knowing that He remembers each name and every connection in His unfolding plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Raham1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רַ֖חַם1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:44
Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem became the father of Shammai.
This verse identifies Raham as the son of Shema and father of Jorkeam, anchoring him within the tribal lineage of Judah during the period leading to the Divided Monarchy.