Lexical Summary Shacharayim: Shacharayim Original Word: שַׁחֲרַיִם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shaharaim Dual of shachar; double dawn; Shacharajim, an Israelite -- Shaharaim. see HEBREW shachar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shachar Definition "two dawns," a Benjamite NASB Translation Shaharaim (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שַׁחֲרַ֫יִם proper name, masculine in Benjamin, 1 Chronicles 8:8; Σααρηλ[μ], ᵐ5L Σεωρειν. Topical Lexicon Biblical occurrence Shaharayim appears once in Scripture, in the Benjamite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 8:8–11. Genealogical context Placed within the record of Benjamin’s descendants (1 Chronicles 8:1–40), Shaharayim descends from the line of Ehud (verses 6–7). These genealogies, compiled after the exile, affirmed continuity for the tribe of Benjamin and traced the ancestry of King Saul (1 Chronicles 8:33). Marital history and descendants The Chronicler notes three wives: Hushim, Baara, and Hodesh. After sending away Hushim and Baara, Shaharayim fathered children by Hodesh during a residence in Moab: “Through his wife Hodesh he had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families” (1 Chronicles 8:9–10). Two additional sons, Abitub and Elpaal, were born to Hushim after the earlier dismissal (verse 11). Elpaal’s line produced builders of Ono and Lod (modern-day Lydda) (verse 12), linking Shaharayim indirectly to a town later visited by the Apostle Peter (Acts 9:32). Moabite sojourn His children by Hodesh were born “in the country of Moab” (1 Chronicles 8:8). This detail highlights: • Interaction between Israel and Moab generations before Ruth. Historical and cultural significance 1 Chronicles was written to encourage post-exilic Israel. By naming Shaharayim and his sons, the Chronicler demonstrated that every branch of Benjamin—whether dwelling in Geba, Manahath, or Moab—remained part of God’s unfolding plan. The mention of divorce, remarriage, and relocation shows that the genealogies reflect real family complexities while still affirming the legitimacy of the tribal record. Theological considerations 1. Providence: Even a single-mentioned figure receives a place in the inspired record, underscoring the Lord’s concern for individual lives within redemptive history. Lessons for ministry • God works through ordinary families—marked by migration, broken relationships, and new beginnings—to further His purposes. Forms and Transliterations וְשַׁחֲרַ֗יִם ושחרים veshachaRayim wə·ša·ḥă·ra·yim wəšaḥărayimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 8:8 HEB: וְשַׁחֲרַ֗יִם הוֹלִיד֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה NAS: Shaharaim became the father KJV: And Shaharaim begat INT: Shaharaim became the country 1 Occurrence |
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