Original Word: שְׁפוּפָם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shphuwpham
Pronunciation: shoo-FAHM
Phonetic Spelling: (shef-oo-fawm')
KJV: Shephuphan, Shupham
Word Origin: [from the same as H8207 (שְׁפִיפוֹן - horned snake)]

1. serpent-like
2. Shephupham or Shephuphan, an Israelite

Shephuphan, Shupham

Or Shphuwphan {shef-oo-fawn'}; from the same as shphiyphon; serpent-like; Shephupham or Shephuphan, an Israelite -- Shephuphan, Shupham.

see HEBREW shphiyphon

שְׁפוּפָם proper name, masculine in Benjamin; — Numbers 26:39, Σουταλα, ᵐ5^L Σοφαν ( = מֻמִּים וְהֻמִּים Genesis 46:21, שֻׁמִּים וְחֻמִּם 1 Chronicles 7:12).

שְׁפוּפָן proper name, masculine in Benjamin 1 Chronicles 8:5, Σωφαρφακ, A Σωφαν, ᵐ5^L Σεπφαμ.

Identity and Name Variants

Shephupham (also rendered Shephuphan or Shupham) appears twice in the Old Testament genealogical records of Benjamin. The slight differences in spelling reflect the transition from the wilderness census (Numbers) to the Chronicler’s post-exilic perspective (1 Chronicles). They point to a single individual whose descendants formed a recognized clan within the tribe.

Genealogical Context

1. Wilderness Census

“Through Shephupham, the clan of the Shephuphamites” (Numbers 26:39).

The verse is part of the second census taken on the plains of Moab shortly before Israel crossed the Jordan. Listed with Bela, Ashbel, Ahiram, and Hupham, Shephupham marks one of five Benjamite clans eligible for land inheritance in Canaan (Numbers 26:38-41).

2. Chronicler’s Record

“The sons of Bela were … Shephuphan, and Huram” (1 Chronicles 8:3-5).

Centuries later, the Chronicler preserves the same lineage to affirm continuity for the post-exilic community. By naming Shephuphan among Bela’s nine sons, the text confirms that the clan survived exile and maintained its place in Benjamin.

Tribal Significance

• Military Strength. The second census counts 45,600 fighting men from Benjamin (Numbers 26:41). The Shephuphamite clan contributed to that number, underscoring their role in Israel’s conquest of the land.
• Territorial Inheritance. Clan names defined allotments when Joshua cast lots (Joshua 18). Though the text does not isolate the Shephuphamites’ parcel, their inclusion guaranteed a share in the Benjamite territory that later held the city of Jerusalem’s northern outskirts.
• Royal and Apostolic Line. Benjamin eventually produced King Saul (1 Samuel 9) and, in the New Testament era, the Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:5). Every clan—Shephuphamites included—fed into that redemptive lineage.

Theological Implications

• Covenant Faithfulness. The preservation of Shephupham’s name across diverse historical settings testifies to God’s commitment that “not one word has failed of all the good promises” (Joshua 21:45).
• Individual Worth in Corporate Identity. The Spirit–inspired record singles out a minor figure to show that no family is forgotten in the unfolding plan of salvation (compare Luke 12:7).
• Continuity of God’s People. From wilderness wanderings to post-exilic restoration, the Shephuphamites anchor Benjamin’s past to its future, illustrating how divine purposes transcend displacement and national upheaval.

Lessons for Ministry and Faith

1. Keep Accurate Records. Genealogies encourage the church to value faithful documentation—membership rolls, baptismal registers, and mission reports—because every name matters to God.
2. Honor Hidden Contributors. Like Shephupham, many believers serve without public acclaim; yet their legacy strengthens the body (1 Corinthians 12:22).
3. Trust God’s Long-Range Plan. Generation after generation, God weaves obscure individuals into a lineage that leads to Christ and the spread of the gospel. Confidence in that sovereignty sustains present-day obedience.

Related References

Genesis 46:21; Numbers 1:36-37; Joshua 18:11-28; 1 Chronicles 7:6-12; Philippians 3:5

וּשְׁפוּפָ֖ן ושפופן לִשְׁפוּפָ֕ם לשפופם liš·p̄ū·p̄ām lishfuFam lišp̄ūp̄ām ū·šə·p̄ū·p̄ān ūšəp̄ūp̄ān ushefuFanInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts