שׁוּתֶ֫לַח (shu.te.lach)
shu.te.lach
Shuthelah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Shuthelah is a proper name appearing four times in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Numbers 26:35 and 1 Chronicles 7:21-24. The sources identify two distinct individuals with this name within the tribe of Ephraim. One was a son of Ephraim during the wilderness generation, while the other appears later as a descendant living through the period of the Divided Monarchy.
The etymology provided links the name to the concept of "noise of breaking." This linguistic root suggests a vivid image, perhaps referring to the sound of breaking waves or shattered objects. In both genealogical lists, Shuthelah serves as an ancestor for notable figures like Joshua, anchoring his family line within the broader history of Israel’s tribes.
Translators typically render this word simply as a name without translating its meaning, preserving its identity as a person rather than a descriptive title. Its presence in Chronicles highlights the importance of maintaining accurate lineage records even centuries after the initial conquest of Canaan.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shuthelah is a name found in the genealogies of Ephraim, appearing in Numbers and Chronicles. It marks a link in the chain of ancestors that leads to Joshua, the leader who guided Israel into the Promised Land. These lists are not just dry records; they show how God remembers His people across generations.
Even when tragedy struck, as seen in 1 Chronicles where Shuthelah’s descendants were killed by men from Gath, the family line was preserved in Scripture. This reminds us that our stories matter to God. He keeps account of every life, every struggle, and every hope held by His people.
When you read these names, you are seeing the faithfulness of God over time. He sustains families through peace and hardship alike. Your own place in God’s story is secure because He holds history in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shuthelah2×
- of/ Shuthelah1×
- and/ Shuthelah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שׁוּתָ֑לַח2×
- לְ/שׁוּתֶ֗לַח1×
- וְ/שׁוּתֶ֥לַח1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:35
These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
This verse establishes Shuthelah as a primary family head within the tribe of Ephraim during the census in the wilderness.
-
I Chronicles 7:21
Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take away their livestock.
Here the text records the violent loss of Shuthelah’s descendants, showing that even tragic events are remembered in God's word.
-
I Chronicles 7:20
The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son,
This entry traces the lineage from Shuthelah through several generations, highlighting the continuity of the family line.