Lexical Summary Charuphi: Charuphite Original Word: חֲרוּפִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Haruphite A patrial from (probably) a collateral form of Chariyph; a Charuphite or inhabitant of Charuph (or Chariph) -- Haruphite. see HEBREW Chariyph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as choreph Definition desc. of Hariph NASB Translation Haruphite (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֲרִימִּי Qr, חרופי Kt, adjective, of a people with article; ׳שְׁפַטְיָהוּ הַח 1 Chronicles 12:6 (Baer, v.1 Chronicles 12:5 van d. H), ᵐ5 Ξαρα(ι)φ(ε)ι, A Αρουφι; perhaps, if Qr right, connected with חָרִף Nehemiah 7:24. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Placement within Scripture The term חֲרוּפִי (Charuphi, “Haruphite”) appears a single time, in 1 Chronicles 12:6, identifying Shephatiah among the Benjamites who defected from Saul to David while David was in Ziklag. Ethnic and Geographical Identity “Haruphite” functions as a gentilic, marking clan or district affiliation. The related name “Hariph” surfaces later among post-exilic returnees (Ezra 2:18; Nehemiah 7:24; Nehemiah 10:19), suggesting a family or locality surviving the exile and reentering Judah’s restored community. Though certainty is elusive, the simplest reading is that “Haruphite” and “Hariph” point to the same wider kin-group, rooted in Benjamin’s territory but ultimately integrated among those who rebuilt Jerusalem. Context in David’s Rise 1 Chronicles 12 catalogues those who “came to David at Ziklag while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish” (1 Chronicles 12:1). Shephatiah the Haruphite joins a cohort of expert bowmen and slingers from Benjamin. Their decision to cross lines—leaving Saul (their own tribe’s king) to follow David—demonstrates early recognition of the Lord’s anointing on David and a willingness to forsake tribal loyalties for covenant fidelity (1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 24:20). Military Contribution The Benjamite contingent strengthened David at a critical juncture. Verses 2–8 portray them as ambidextrous warriors who “could sling stones and shoot arrows from either hand” (12:2). Such skill matched Benjamin’s historical reputation (Judges 20:16). Strategically, their defection chipped away at Saul’s power base and laid groundwork for national unification under David. Spiritual and Theological Significance 1. Faith over Heritage: Shephatiah’s choice illustrates that allegiance to God’s chosen king supersedes bloodline or region—anticipating the New Testament call to follow the greater Son of David regardless of earthly ties (Matthew 10:37). Intertextual Echoes The later appearance of the “sons of Hariph” among temple-rebuilders links David’s day to the post-exilic era, underlining Scripture’s continuity. Those who once sided with David eventually supply craftsmen rebuilding the walls (Nehemiah 3:18) and sign covenant renewal (Nehemiah 10:19), demonstrating generational faithfulness. Ministry Applications • Discern God’s Hand: Like the Haruphite warrior, believers must recognize where God is moving and align themselves accordingly, even when it costs. Summary חֲרוּפִי encapsulates a narrative of decisive loyalty. Though mentioned only once, the Haruphite’s inclusion among David’s earliest supporters and the clan’s later participation in Jerusalem’s restoration weave a thread of steadfast commitment through Israel’s story—inviting believers today to stand boldly with the Lord’s Anointed and to persevere in multi-generational faithfulness. Forms and Transliterations הַחֲרוּפִֽי׃ החרופי׃ ha·ḥă·rū·p̄î hacharuFi haḥărūp̄îLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 12:6 HEB: [הַחֲרִיפִי כ] (הַחֲרוּפִֽי׃ ק) INT: Shamariah Shephatiah Haruphite 1 Occurrence |
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