רֶ֫שֶׁף (re.sheph)
re.sheph
Resheph
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 Resheph appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, identifying a specific ancestor within the tribe of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:25). He is listed as the son of Beriah and brother to Sheerah and Rephah. His sole mention serves to preserve his place in the genealogical records of this influential northern tribe during the era of the Divided Monarchy.
Linguistically, the name derives from a root meaning "flame" or "lightning flash." While the deity Resheph was widely worshipped in the ancient Near East as a god of plague and war, the biblical usage here is strictly personal and genealogical. The text does not engage with the foreign cult but simply records the family line.
This single occurrence highlights how common Canaanite names were adopted by Israelites without necessarily implying religious syncretism. The name’s fiery etymology contrasts with its quiet function in Scripture, where it marks a link in the chain of descent rather than conveying any theological statement about power or judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Resheph appears just once in Scripture, tucked into a genealogy in 1 Chronicles 7:25. It marks a son of Beriah within the tribe of Ephraim. While the word itself means flame or lightning flash, and was associated with ancient Near Eastern deities of war and plague, the Bible uses it here simply as a family name. This quiet inclusion shows that names carry history without demanding theological weight.
In your own life, you might find comfort in how God preserves ordinary names alongside famous ones. Every link in a lineage matters to Him, even those listed in passing. Your place in God’s story is secure, not because of the meaning of your name or your achievements, but because He remembers each person by name. This single mention reminds us that faithfulness often looks like simply being part of the community God has woven together.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Resheph1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/רֶ֧שֶׁף1×