חוּפָמִי

𐤇𐤅𐤐𐤌𐤉

Chufami

H2350 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חפם to be covered, to protect (uncertain)

Definition

A male descendant or member of the family or clan of חוּפָם (Chupham/Hupham), one of the sons of Benjamin, signifying an individual belonging to the lineage or house of Chupham. In biblical genealogical contexts, often rendered as 'Chuphamite' or 'Huphamite.' The term identifies a specific subgroup within the tribe of Benjamin.

Semantic Range

descendant of Chupham/Hupham, member of the Chuphamite subclan, Benjaminite lineage

Root / Etymology

Derived from the personal name חוּפָם (Chupham/Hupham), itself of uncertain meaning and possibly related to the root חפם (uncertain derivation). The masculine gentilic ending -י (yod) denotes descent or association, forming a patronymic designation meaning 'descendant of Chupham.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, חוּפָמִי designates an individual or group descended from חוּפָם among the Benjaminites (see Numbers 26:39). This gentilic or patronymic form is part of Israelite genealogical terminology, specifically used when distinguishing lineages within tribes for administrative, territorial, or inheritance purposes. English translations vary between 'Huphamite' (from Hebrew pronunciation) and 'Chuphamite' (reflecting the older English transliteration). Later identifications, such as 'Jew' or 'Judean,' do not apply here, as the term is strictly tribal and genealogical regarding the tribe of Benjamin in the early period. The use of specific patronymics for subclans within tribes was common in census, territorial, and genealogical lists, especially in the Torah and the Book of Numbers.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

patronymically from חוּפָם; a Chuphamite or descendant of Chupham; Huphamites.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חפם (ḥ-p-m) — to cover, to protect (uncertain)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2350-01 הַ/חוּפָמִֽי hachufami HTd/Ngmsa the Huphamites the Chuphamite 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2350-01 Numbers 26:39 הַ/חוּפָמִֽי hachufami HTd/Ngmsa the Huphamites the Chuphamite