2739. Charumaph
Lexical Summary
Charumaph: Charumaph

Original Word: חֲרוּמַף
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: charuwmaph
Pronunciation: khar-oo-maf'
Phonetic Spelling: (khar-oo-maf')
KJV: Harumaph
NASB: Harumaph
Word Origin: [from passive participle of H2763 (חָרַם - To ban) and H639 (אַף - anger)]

1. snub-nosed
2. Charumaph, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Harumaph

From passive participle of charam and 'aph; snub-nosed; Charumaph, an Israelite -- Harumaph.

see HEBREW charam

see HEBREW 'aph

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
an Isr.
NASB Translation
Harumaph (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
חֲרוּמַף proper name, masculine father of one of the builders of the wall Nehemiah 3:10.

חרז (√ of following; Late Hebrew חֲרַז string together, especially jewels or pearls; Aramaic חֲרַז id.; id.; Arabic sew or stitch, beads strung together, neck-ornament).

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence

Harumaph is named once in Scripture, in Nehemiah 3:10. The verse records, “Next to them Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and beside him Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs.” Though brief, this notice places Harumaph in the restored community of Jerusalem after the exile, identifying him through his son Jedaiah, an active participant in rebuilding the city wall.

Historical Setting

Nehemiah’s wall-building project (circa 445 BC) followed the Persian decree allowing Jewish exiles to return. The city still lay in ruin from Babylonian conquest. Nehemiah, serving Artaxerxes I, secured permission, resources, and authority to rebuild (Nehemiah 2:1-8). Chapter 3 lists forty-one work sections, assigning families, priests, guilds, and individuals. This roster highlights the unity of covenant people under God’s providential hand.

Role in the Wall Reconstruction

Although Harumaph himself is not described as wielding trowel or sword, his household’s involvement is explicit. His son “made repairs opposite his house,” implying that Harumaph’s residence stood on Jerusalem’s eastern ridge between the Valley Gate and the House of the Mighty (Nehemiah 3:10, 16). The location demonstrates several truths:
• Rebuilding began at home. By restoring the wall opposite his own dwelling, Jedaiah—likely with his father’s resources and encouragement—secured personal responsibility for the city’s defense.
• Family labor was valued equally with priestly and noble contributions (compare Nehemiah 3:1, 12). Scripture dignifies common households alongside prominent leaders.

Family and Generational Ministry

The verse’s genealogy (“son of Harumaph”) places emphasis on lineage. In post-exilic Judah, preserving family identity testified to God’s faithfulness despite displacement (Ezra 2:1-2). Harumaph’s name being recorded ensures that future generations might trace covenant continuity. It also underscores parental influence: a father’s piety often motivates children toward public service (see Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Proverbs 22:6).

Theology and Spiritual Lessons

1. God values obscure faithfulness. Harumaph appears only once, yet his inclusion reflects divine remembrance (Malachi 3:16).
2. Covenant community thrives when every member contributes. The wall stood completed “for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6). Harumaph’s household shows how even seemingly minor sections matter to overall security.
3. Ministry starts at one’s doorstep. Repairing “opposite his house” illustrates stewardship of immediate spheres before broader outreach (1 Timothy 3:4-5; Acts 1:8).

Application for Contemporary Ministry

• Encourage families to identify and “repair” the portion of the spiritual wall nearest them—neighborhood, workplace, congregation.
• Honor unsung believers whose names may never headline history yet whose labor sustains the Church’s witness (Romans 16:1-15).
• Preserve generational identity in Christ; tell children the works of God, as Harumaph’s name points backward and forward (Psalm 78:4-7).

Cross References and Related Scriptures

Nehemiah 3:10; Nehemiah 4:6; Ezra 2:1-2; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm 78:4-7; Proverbs 22:6; Acts 1:8; Romans 16:1-15; 1 Timothy 3:4-5; Malachi 3:16.

Forms and Transliterations
חֲרוּמַ֖ף חרומף charuMaf ḥă·rū·map̄ ḥărūmap̄
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Nehemiah 3:10
HEB: יְדָיָ֥ה בֶן־ חֲרוּמַ֖ף וְנֶ֣גֶד בֵּית֑וֹ
NAS: the son of Harumaph made
KJV: the son of Harumaph, even over against his house.
INT: Jedaiah the son of Harumaph opposite his house

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2739
1 Occurrence


ḥă·rū·map̄ — 1 Occ.

2738
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