שֶׁ֫לֶף (she.leph)
she.leph
Sheleph
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Sheleph appears in just two verses, Genesis 10:26 and I Chronicles 1:20, identifying him as a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem. He is listed among the brothers who founded various nations, placing him within the genealogical records that trace the spread of peoples after the Flood.
Lexicon sources explain the meaning of the name as "a drawing forth." This etymology suggests an action or result, perhaps implying someone who brings something out or extracts it. The name fits the pattern of other Joktanite names that often reflect geographical features or tribal characteristics.
Though he is not a central figure in the narrative, Sheleph’s inclusion highlights the importance of lineage in biblical history. His presence in both the primeval history of Genesis and the historical recounting in Chronicles underscores the continuity of these family lines across generations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Sheleph appears in the biblical record as a son of Joktan, listed alongside his brothers in the genealogies found in Genesis and Chronicles. These family trees are not merely lists of names but serve as the framework for understanding how nations developed after the Flood. Each name carries meaning, with Sheleph suggesting the idea of drawing forth or extracting something.
While this figure does not have a narrative story attached to him, his inclusion reminds us that every person has a place in God’s broader plan. The continuity of these lines shows how faithfully God preserves history and lineage. It encourages readers to see their own lives as part of a larger, ongoing story where every generation matters.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Sheleph2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁ֑לֶף2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:26
Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
This verse places Sheleph within the Table of Nations, showing his role in the post-Flood expansion of peoples.
-
I Chronicles 1:20
Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
The Chronicler repeats this lineage to affirm the historical continuity of Joktan’s descendants for a later audience.