Lexical Summary Shuphami: Shuphami Original Word: שׁוּפָמִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shuphamite Patronymic from Shphuwpham; a Shuphamite (collectively) or descendants of Shephupham -- Shuphamite. see HEBREW Shphuwpham NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Shephupham Definition desc. of Shephupham NASB Translation Shuphamites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שׁוּמָּמִי adjecive, of a people of foregoing, with article as collective noun Numbers 26:39. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Numbers 26:39 records “of Shupham, the Shuphamite clan; of Hupham, the Huphamite clan” (Berean Standard Bible). This single notice places the Shuphamites among the families of Benjamin during the second census on the plains of Moab. Historical Setting The census of Numbers 26 was taken near the end of Israel’s wilderness journey, roughly four decades after the Exodus. Its purpose was two-fold: Within this context the Shuphamites are counted as part of Benjamin’s 45,600 fighting men (Numbers 26:41). Genealogical Connections Shupham is listed among the sons of Benjamin under variant spellings in earlier and later genealogies (compare Genesis 46:21; 1 Chronicles 7:12; 1 Chronicles 8:1-5). Such variations are common in Hebrew family lists and do not indicate different persons but reflect phonetic shifts and alternate spellings preserved by the chroniclers. By linking Shupham to Benjamin, Scripture anchors the clan firmly in the covenant line that descended from Jacob and Rachel. Tribal Allotment and Locale Although Joshua 18 does not name individual Benjamite clans, the allocation of land “between Judah and Joseph” (Joshua 18:11) embraced key cities such as Jerusalem, Jericho, Gibeah, Bethel, and Mizpah. The Shuphamites would have shared in these central highland territories, receiving agricultural fields and residential sites according to family size (Numbers 26:54). Clan identity governed inheritance rights, marriage arrangements, and Levitical tithe distribution within the tribal structure (Numbers 36:7-9; Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Military Profile Benjamin was renowned for skill in warfare, especially with the sling and the bow (Judges 20:16; 1 Chronicles 8:40). The Shuphamite contingent formed part of this martial tradition. Their recorded presence in the second census underscores the readiness of every clan to shoulder covenant responsibilities in the conquest of Canaan. Later Benjamite warriors—such as Ehud (Judges 3), King Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 13-14), and the faithful Mordecai (Esther 2)—reflect the enduring fighting spirit of the tribe, though Scripture does not specify their precise clan lineage. Covenant Significance 1. Individual Accountability: By naming each clan, Numbers 26 demonstrates that every family stands individually accountable before God while still belonging to the larger covenant community (cf. Romans 14:12). Ministry Lessons • God values and records the obscure (Malachi 3:16). Even a clan mentioned only once is remembered in Scripture, encouraging believers that their labor in the Lord is never unnoticed (1 Corinthians 15:58). Redemptive Trajectory Benjamin was the tribe of the Apostle Paul, who declared himself “a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5). Though his specific clan is not revealed, Paul’s conversion illustrates how God transforms even “least” tribes and obscure families into instruments of gospel advance (Acts 9:15). The Shuphamites, therefore, contribute to the broader biblical theme of God choosing the humble and hidden to further His redemptive plan (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Forms and Transliterations הַשּׁוּפָמִ֑י השופמי haš·šū·p̄ā·mî hashshufaMi haššūp̄āmîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:39 HEB: לִשְׁפוּפָ֕ם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשּׁוּפָמִ֑י לְחוּפָ֕ם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת NAS: the family of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, KJV: the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, INT: of Shephupham the family of the Shuphamites of Hupham the family 1 Occurrence |
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