Lexical Summary Chuppim: Chuppim Original Word: חֻפִּים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Huppim Plural of chuppah (compare Chuwpham); Chuppim, an Israelite -- Huppim. see HEBREW chuppah see HEBREW Chuwpham NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chaphaph Definition a son of Benjamin NASB Translation Huppim (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֻמִּים proper name, masculine a son of Benjamin Genesis 46:21 (ᵐ5 Οφιμ(ε)ιν, Οφμειν), descendant of Benjamin 1 Chronicles 7:15 (ᵐ5 Αμφειν, Αφφειν, ᵐ5L Οφερ), and so חֻפִם 1 Chronicles 7:15; see הוּמָּם. II. חפף (Late Hebrew חָפַף; Aramaic חֲפַף Topical Lexicon Scriptural Appearances• Genesis 46:21 lists the original bearer among “Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi and Rosh, Muppim and Huppim and Ard.” Thus the name travels with the family of Jacob into Egypt and becomes part of the foundational tally of the seventy Israelites. • 1 Chronicles 7:12 records, “Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir, and Hushim was the son of Aher,” placing their descendants among the genealogies of Benjamin that were rehearsed after the exile. • 1 Chronicles 7:15 notes an inter-tribal marriage: “Machir took a wife from the Huppites and Shuppites. His sister’s name was Maacah.” Here the family line merges with that of Machir, the prominent Manassite clan. Historical and Familial Context 1. An Early Benjaminite Branch Genesis 46 situates the person at the very beginning of Israel’s national history. As one of Benjamin’s sons, he helped form the smallest but militarily valiant tribe (Judges 20:16; 1 Samuel 9:1). 2. Post-exilic Self-Definition 1 Chronicles, compiled after the exile, preserves the same name to affirm continuity. In a period when Judah and Benjamin re-gathered around the rebuilt temple, mention of Huppim’s line validated land rights and Levite service assignments connected to Benjamin (Ezra 4:1; Nehemiah 11:4). 3. Alliance with Manasseh The marriage between Machir (firstborn of Manasseh) and a Huppite woman shows that tribal lines, though distinct, were never rigid. Such unions widened inheritance networks in the Trans-Jordan, foreshadowing later inclusion of Gentile believers into Israel’s spiritual commonwealth (Ephesians 2:12-13). The Role in Tribal Identity • Military Reputation: Benjamin produced gifted slingers and Saul, Israel’s first king. A sub-clan like the Huppites likely supplied warriors who defended central highlands against Philistines. • Territorial Holdings: Joshua 18 assigns Benjamin a narrow but strategic allotment including Jerusalem’s northern slope. Huppite settlements would have shared in guarding the corridor that linked Ephraim to Judah. • Priestly Support: After the exile, Benjaminites lived near the temple precinct (Nehemiah 11:31-36). By maintaining genealogical records, families such as the Huppites ensured that temple singers, gatekeepers, and Levites could prove tribal legitimacy. Theological Reflections 1. God Knows Every Name The Holy Spirit has preserved even seemingly obscure individuals. While Scripture is silent about exploits, the inclusion underlines that “the Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). No servant is forgotten in His redemptive narrative. 2. Continuity of Covenant Grace From Egypt (Genesis) to post-exile Judah (Chronicles), the same family name testifies that covenant promises survive slavery, wandering, monarchy, exile, and restoration. The unbroken thread anticipates the sure preservation of the Church until the appearing of Christ (Philippians 1:6). 3. Foreshadowing Unity in Christ The merging of Huppite blood with Manasseh illustrates the dismantling of strictly tribal barriers, a pattern fulfilled when Jew and Gentile are made “one new man” in Messiah (Ephesians 2:15). Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Value Hidden Members: Effective ministry recognizes the indispensable contribution of saints who serve without public acclaim, much like the unnamed Huppite descendants who upheld Benjamin’s legacy. • Record God’s Faithfulness: Chronicling testimonies—births, conversions, answered prayers—strengthens future generations, mirroring the Chronicler’s careful genealogies. • Encourage Cross-Community Fellowship: Just as Machir’s marriage broadened horizons, churches should foster partnerships that transcend cultural and ethnic lines while remaining faithful to biblical truth. Application for the Church Today When leaders trace ministry heritage, small groups, or mission initiatives, they echo the Chronicler’s impulse: to remember. Names such as Huppim remind believers that spiritual lineage is not measured by fame but by faithful transmission of covenant truth. Their quiet presence in Scripture urges modern disciples to labor diligently, confident that the Chief Shepherd rewards every hidden act of obedience (1 Peter 5:4). Forms and Transliterations וְחֻפִּ֖ים וְחֻפִּם֙ וחפים וחפם לְחֻפִּ֣ים לחפים lə·ḥup·pîm lechupPim ləḥuppîm vechupPim wə·ḥup·pim wə·ḥup·pîm wəḥuppim wəḥuppîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 46:21 HEB: וָרֹ֑אשׁ מֻפִּ֥ים וְחֻפִּ֖ים וָאָֽרְדְּ׃ NAS: and Rosh, Muppim and Huppim and Ard. KJV: and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard. INT: and Rosh Muppim and Huppim and Ard 1 Chronicles 7:12 1 Chronicles 7:15 3 Occurrences |