שׁוּחָם (shu.cham)
shu.cham
Shuham
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 Shuham refers to a specific individual from the tribe of Dan during the Exodus era. Listed in Genesis 46:23 as one of Jacob’s grandsons, he appears again in Numbers 26:42–43 as the head of the family group known as the Shuhamites. His presence in these genealogies confirms his role as a patriarch whose descendants were counted among the Israelite tribes.
Lexical sources identify Shuham as an alternative name for Hushim, suggesting they refer to the same person or that the names were used interchangeably within the clan. The etymology typically links the Hebrew root to digging or pits, implying a meaning like "pit-digger." This concrete occupational imagery provides a glimpse into the daily life or trade associated with this branch of Dan’s lineage.
Though mentioned only in brief genealogical records, Shuham’s inclusion highlights the importance of tribal identity in ancient Israel. His name serves as a historical marker, connecting the wandering community back to their ancestral roots while acknowledging the distinct family units that made up the larger nation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shuham appears in the Bible as a specific individual from the tribe of Dan. His name is linked to an occupation involving digging, which grounds his identity in practical, daily work. This connection reminds us that God values the ordinary tasks and trades people perform.
His mention in genealogies shows how family lines were preserved during the Exodus. These records highlight the importance of tribal identity and ancestral roots for the Israelites. Shuham’s name serves as a historical marker, linking the wandering community to their past.
Though his story is brief, his inclusion underscores that every family unit mattered in ancient Israel. This attention to detail in Scripture encourages us to value our own heritage and the roles we play within our communities.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of/ Shuham1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/שׁוּחָ֕ם1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:42
These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
This verse identifies Shuham as the patriarch of the Shuhamites, a distinct family group within the tribe of Dan.