שֶׁ֫לֶשׁ (she.lesh)
she.lesh
Shelesh
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 Shelesh appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in the genealogy of the tribe of Asher at 1 Chronicles 7:35. He is identified as the son of Hotham and brother to Zophah, Imna, and Amal. This single mention places him within the lineage of Israel’s northern tribes during the period of the divided monarchy.
Lexical sources suggest the name likely means "might" or strength. While it shares a root with words for power, its use here is strictly onomastic, serving to identify an individual rather than describe a theological concept. The brevity of the record highlights how many names in biblical genealogies preserve family history without additional narrative context.
Because Shelesh occurs in just one verse, there is no broader pattern of usage or translation variation to analyze. His significance lies entirely in his placement within the Asherite family tree, illustrating the detailed preservation of tribal lineages in Chronicles. The name stands as a quiet marker of identity within a larger historical record.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shelesh appears in only one place in Scripture, recorded in 1 Chronicles 7:35 as part of the family line of Asher. His inclusion among his brothers Zophah, Imna, and Amal shows how carefully the biblical writers preserved even the smallest details of Israel’s history. This single mention reminds us that every name in God’s record has a place.
While we do not have a story about Shelesh’s life or character, his presence in the genealogy affirms the value of individual identity within the larger community of faith. It is comforting to know that God keeps track of His people, no matter how briefly they appear in the text. This quiet preservation invites us to trust that our own lives, with all their small moments, are known and held by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Shelesh1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/שֵׁ֥לֶשׁ1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 7:35
The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
This verse lists Shelesh specifically among the sons of Helem, anchoring his identity within the tribal lineage of Asher without adding narrative detail.