Lexical Summary Tselelponi or Hatstselelponi: Zelelponi or Hazzelelponi Original Word: צְלֶלְפוֹנִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hazelelponi including the article From tselel and the active participle of panah; shade-facing; Tselelponi, an Israelitess -- Hazelelponi (including the article). see HEBREW tselel see HEBREW panah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsalal and panah Definition "give shade, you who turn to me!" an Isr. woman NASB Translation Hazzelelponi (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs הַצְּלֶלְמּוֺנִי proper name, feminine in Judah (give shade, thou that turnest to me!) 1 Chronicles 4:3, Εσηλεββων, etc. IV. צלל (√ of following; meaning dubious; Ethiopic Topical Lexicon Name Significanceצְלֶלְפוֹנִי (transliterated Hazzelelponi or Tselelponi) combines Hebrew roots that evoke “shade” or “shadow” and “face” or “appearance.” The composite idea of “a countenance in the shadow” allows the name to suggest a life lived under the protecting shade of the LORD, a truth that resonates with Psalms 91:1, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Although the chronicler offers no explicit interpretation, the name itself subtly points to divine covering and care. Biblical Occurrence The single mention of Hazzelelponi appears in the lineage of Judah: “Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash, and their sister was Hazzelelponi.” (1 Chronicles 4:3) Genealogical Context and Tribal Affiliation 1 Chronicles 4 records the descendants of Judah after the Babylonian exile to reaffirm Israel’s covenant identity. Hazzelelponi is listed alongside three brothers who trace back to Etam, a Judahite clan tied to Bethlehem through Hur (1 Chronicles 4:4). By naming her, the chronicler highlights: • The prominence of certain women in Judah’s history, much as Tamar (Genesis 38), Rahab (Joshua 2), and Ruth (Ruth 1–4) are spotlighted in other genealogies. Possible Connection to Samson’s Family Jewish tradition (for example, Babylonian Talmud, Bava Bathra 91a) identifies Samson’s mother as “Tzelelponith,” linguistically identical to Hazzelelponi. Judges describes Samson’s father as a Danite (Judges 13:2), but is silent about his mother’s tribe. If the tradition is correct, her Judahite heritage would connect the deliverer of Israel’s northern tribes with the royal tribe of the South, underscoring the unity of God’s people despite later divisions. While Scripture does not confirm the link, the possibility illustrates how apparently obscure genealogical notes can enrich the larger biblical narrative. Spiritual and Ministry Implications 1. God values women in His redemptive plan. By recording Hazzelelponi’s name, the Holy Spirit reminds the Church that women have always held honored places in covenant history and ministry (compare Deborah in Judges 4–5 and Huldah in 2 Kings 22:14–20). Lessons for Today • Honor the overlooked. Congregations should celebrate those who, like Hazzelelponi, serve without acclaim but whose legacy endures in the lives they shape. Forms and Transliterations הַצְלֶלְפּֽוֹנִי׃ הצללפוני׃ haṣ·lel·pō·w·nî haṣlelpōwnî hatzlelPoniLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 4:3 HEB: וְשֵׁ֥ם אֲחוֹתָ֖ם הַצְלֶלְפּֽוֹנִי׃ NAS: of their sister [was] Hazzelelponi. KJV: of their sister [was] Hazelelponi: INT: and the name of their sister Hazzelelponi 1 Occurrence |
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is unleavened bread (Di1257as pure, unfermented, compare 
below II. צלל), more probably would be designation of shape).