שַׁ֫עַף (sha.aph)
sha.aph
Shaaph
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Shaaph is a proper name found only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both occurrences located in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles chapter 2. The sources identify two distinct individuals bearing this name within the tribe of Judah. One is listed as the son of Caleb and his concubine Maacah, while the other appears in a different branch of the family tree as the son of Jahdai.
The etymology provided links the name to the root meaning "division" or "splitting." This linguistic detail offers a brief window into ancient naming practices, where personal names often reflected circumstances of birth or familial status. In the context of 1 Chronicles, these records serve to preserve the lineage of Judah’s prominent clans, ensuring that figures like Shaaph remain part of the historical record even if their individual stories are not detailed further in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read through the long lists of names in 1 Chronicles, it is easy to feel disconnected from the text. These genealogies can seem like dry records, but they hold a quiet significance for your faith. Each name represents a real person within God’s unfolding story, preserving their identity even when their personal narrative remains unwritten.
The name Shaaph appears in two distinct branches of Judah’s family tree. Its root meaning suggests a division or splitting, perhaps reflecting the unique circumstances of its bearers’ births or lives. By including these names, Scripture affirms that every member of the community matters to God, regardless of how much detail we have about them.
This reminds us that our value is not determined by public fame or detailed biographies. We are known and remembered by God, woven into a larger historical tapestry of faithfulness. Trusting in His care means finding peace in our place within His story, even when our contributions seem small or unseen.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Shaaph1×
- Shaaph1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁ֚עַף1×
- וָ/שָֽׁעַף\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:47
The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jothan, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.
This verse places Shaaph as a son of Jahdai, showing his inclusion in a specific branch of Judah’s lineage.
-
I Chronicles 2:49
She bore also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
Here Shaaph is identified as the father of Madmannah, linking him to further generations within Caleb’s family line.