3005. Yibsam

Lexical Summary

Yibsam: Yibsam

Original Word: יִבְשָׂם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yibsam
Pronunciation: yib-sawm'
Phonetic Spelling: (yib-sawm')
KJV: Jibsam
NASB: Ibsam
Word Origin: [from the same as H1314 (בֶּשֶׂם בּוֹשֶׂם - spices)]

1. fragrant
2. Jibsam, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Jibsam

From the same as besem; fragrant; Jibsam, an Israelite -- Jibsam.

see HEBREW besem

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as bosem
Definition
a desc. of Issachar
NASB Translation
Ibsam (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

יִבְשָׂם proper name, masculine a descendant of Issachar 1 Chronicles 7:2.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Context

“Ibsam” appears once in Scripture, in the roster of Tola’s descendants: “Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel—mighty men of valor in their generations. In the days of David their number totaled 22,600” (1 Chronicles 7:2). The verse situates him among the heads of ancestral families within the tribe of Issachar and explicitly notes the military strength associated with his line.

Historical Setting

The Chronicler compiles genealogies after the Babylonian exile, reminding the post-exilic community of its identity and divine calling. By recording the warriors descended from Ibsam and his brothers, the text recalls earlier periods—especially the united monarchy under David—when Israel’s tribes were both numerous and devoted to covenant purposes. The figure of 22,600 men of valor underscores Issachar’s contribution to national defense and worship life during David’s reign (compare 1 Chronicles 27:18).

Genealogical Significance

Placed within the line of Tola (firstborn of Issachar, Genesis 46:13), Ibsam represents one branch of a tribe praised for its discernment of “the times” (1 Chronicles 12:32). Chronicles highlights six sons of Tola, each becoming a “head of their clans.” This establishes continuity from the patriarchal period through the monarchy and into the restoration era, affirming God’s preservation of every family line. Though absent from messianic genealogies, Ibsam’s inclusion certifies the reliability of biblical records that trace Israel’s covenant heritage.

Spiritual and Theological Insights

1. Individual worth under God. Even a name mentioned only once signals that no servant of the Lord is forgotten.
2. Corporate responsibility. Ibsam’s clan contributed to the fighting force counted “in the days of David,” illustrating how family units collectively advance God’s purposes.
3. Fragrance of faithfulness. The probable meaning of the name evokes pleasant aroma, a fitting metaphor for lives that bring delight to God (Philippians 4:18; Ephesians 5:2). Linking a sweet smell with martial valor reminds believers that courageous obedience and spiritual aroma are complementary, not contradictory.

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Celebrate every believer’s place in the body: unnamed or rarely named individuals matter in kingdom work (1 Corinthians 12:22).
• Strengthen family discipleship: households like Ibsam’s produced generations of “mighty men of valor.”
• Foster historical awareness: recounting God’s past faithfulness fuels present courage, just as post-exilic readers drew hope from these lists.

Related References

Genesis 46:13; Numbers 26:23-24; Judges 10:1; 1 Chronicles 12:32; 1 Chronicles 27:18; Psalm 112:2; Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 4:18.

Forms and Transliterations

וְיִבְשָׂ֜ם ויבשם veyivSam wə·yiḇ·śām wəyiḇśām

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 7:2
HEB: וִֽ֠ירִיאֵל וְיַחְמַ֨י וְיִבְשָׂ֜ם וּשְׁמוּאֵ֗ל רָאשִׁ֤ים
NAS: Jahmai, Ibsam and Samuel,
KJV: and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel,
INT: and Jeriel and Jahmai and Jibsam and Shemuel heads

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 3005
1 Occurrence

wə·yiḇ·śām — 1 Occ.