Lexical Summary Sha'aph: To pant, to gasp, to long for Original Word: שַׁעַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shaaph From ca'aph; fluctuation; Shaaph, the name of two Israelites -- Shaaph. see HEBREW ca'aph Brown-Driver-Briggs שַׁ֫עַף proper name, masculine in clan of Caleb, Σαγαε, A Σαγαφ, ᵐ5L Σααφ; — 1 ׳שׁ 1 Chronicles 2:49. 2 שָׁ֑עַף 1 Chronicles 2:47. I. שׁער (√of following; Arabic Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences and Context Shaaph appears twice, both within the Judahite genealogies of 1 Chronicles. First he is named among the six sons of Jahdai (1 Chronicles 2:47). Two verses later another—or possibly the same—Shaaph is called “the father of Madmannah” (1 Chronicles 2:49). These compact notices stand inside the larger Calebite branch of Judah, a lineage that Scripture traces forward to King David and, ultimately, to the Messiah (Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:1-16). Identity and Possible Distinction of the Two Mentions 1. Son of Jahdai: The list in 1 Chronicles 2:47 supplies no further detail, but placing Shaaph in the company of Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, and Ephah suggests a family group whose memory was important for local clan identity in southern Judah. Geographical and Historical Significance Madmannah lay in the arid south where agriculture was marginal and shepherding dominant. Naming a clan leader there hints at Judah’s expansionist push into the Negev, a process reflected elsewhere in Caleb’s conquest of Hebron (Joshua 14:13-15). The Chronicler’s retention of Shaaph’s name preserves the memory of those who secured strategic border towns vital for trade, defense, and the fulfillment of God’s promise that Judah would possess the land in its entirety. Spiritual Lessons from the Genealogical Setting • Divine Faithfulness in Detail: Even seemingly obscure individuals are cataloged, reminding readers that “none of His works is forgotten before God” (Luke 12:6-7). Ministry Applications 1. Valuing the Overlooked: Genealogical notes encourage churches to honor quiet servants whose faithfulness fortifies the community’s foundations. Christological Trajectory These brief mentions of Shaaph sit inside the Judah-to-David line that ultimately leads to Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). By keeping secondary names like Shaaph intact, Scripture not only authenticates its historical reliability but also magnifies the breadth of God’s providence, demonstrating that every link in the chain—prominent or obscure—contributed to the advent of the promised Redeemer. Key Texts 1 Chronicles 2:47 “The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.” 1 Chronicles 2:49 “Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah and Gibea; Caleb’s daughter was Acsah.” Forms and Transliterations וָשָֽׁעַף׃ ושעף׃ עף שַׁ֚עַף ‘ap̄ af vaShaaf wā·šā·‘ap̄ wāšā‘ap̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 2:47 HEB: וָפֶ֖לֶט וְעֵיפָ֥ה וָשָֽׁעַף׃ NAS: Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph. KJV: and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph. INT: Pelet Ephah and Shaaph 1 Chronicles 2:49 2 Occurrences |
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break, break off, through, 
gap, opening; Ethiopic 
tear in two, dissolve; Aramaic 
(transposed) split, divide, תְּרַע tear down; Late Hebrew שַׁעַר gate, so MI22 שעריה (plural suffix), Phoenician שער Lzb381; Tel Amarna ša—ri, as Canaanism, Wkl195, 1. 16; Aramaic תַּרְעָא, 
; Nabataean תרעא Lzb388; — Egyptian ša¹r is loan-word Bondi70).