Lexical Summary Chashum: Chashum Original Word: חָשֻׁם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hashum From the same as chashman; enriched; Chashum, the name of two or three Israelites -- Hashum. see HEBREW chashman NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Hashum (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָשֻׁם proper name, masculine head of a family of returned exiles Ezra 2:19 = Nehemiah 7:22; Ezra 10:33 compare Nehemiah 8:4; Nehemiah 10:19. Topical Lexicon Identity and Setting Hashum designates a post-exilic family headed by a man of the same name. Though the tribe to which they originally belonged is not stated, they are consistently grouped with lay families rather than priestly or Levitical lines. Their appearance exclusively in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah roots their account in the critical decades that followed the Babylonian captivity (late sixth to mid-fifth century B.C.). Role in the First Return (Ezra 2:19) At the forefront of Judah’s restoration, the “descendants of Hashum” are numbered among the pioneers who left Babylon with Zerubbabel. The Berean Standard Bible records that “the descendants of Hashum, 223” (Ezra 2:19) made the arduous journey back to Jerusalem. Their inclusion in the official census underlines two truths: 1. God preserved identifiable family units during exile. Growth and Perseverance (Nehemiah 7:22) Nearly a century later the same family is again counted: “the descendants of Hashum, 328” (Nehemiah 7:22). The higher figure suggests natural growth and the Lord’s sustaining favor despite socioeconomic hardships in the land. Their survival reinforces the historical reliability of the biblical record, as two separate registers—compiled decades apart by different leaders—converge on the same family name. Support of Scriptural Instruction (Nehemiah 8:4) When Ezra publicly read the Law to a newly walled Jerusalem, Hashum himself (very likely the clan head in Nehemiah’s day) stood on Ezra’s left: “and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam” (Nehemiah 8:4). His placement on the wooden platform signified solidarity with the Word of God and modeled reverence before the assembly. The participation of lay leaders alongside priests and Levites demonstrates that the exposition of Scripture was embraced as a shared national responsibility, not a clerical monopoly. Repentance during Marital Reform (Ezra 10:33) Spiritual vigilance was not always maintained. Years earlier several men from this family had contracted unlawful marriages: “From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremiah, Manasseh, and Shimei” (Ezra 10:33). Yet they are listed among those who confessed and “pledged to send away their wives” (Ezra 10:19). Their willingness to rectify covenant infidelity highlights both the gravity of holiness in the restored community and the possibility of corporate repentance. Covenant Renewal (Nehemiah 10:18) Following the reading of the Law and the Feast of Booths, the people bound themselves by a written oath. Hashum’s signature appears among the representatives who sealed the document (Nehemiah 10:18). This act illustrates the family’s reclaimed commitment to the Mosaic covenant and its stipulations concerning worship, Sabbath observance, and stewardship of resources. Ministerial Significance 1. Continuity: The Hashum clan personifies the Lord’s faithfulness in preserving families through judgment and restoration. Key Reflection Points • God preserves names and numbers because individual families matter in His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations וְחָשֻׁ֥ם וחשם חָשֻׁ֑ם חָשֻׁ֔ם חָשֻׁ֖ם חשם chaShum ḥā·šum ḥāšum vechaShum wə·ḥā·šum wəḥāšumLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:19 HEB: בְּנֵ֣י חָשֻׁ֔ם מָאתַ֖יִם עֶשְׂרִ֥ים NAS: the sons of Hashum, 223; KJV: The children of Hashum, two hundred INT: the children of Hashum hundred twenty Ezra 10:33 Nehemiah 7:22 Nehemiah 8:4 Nehemiah 10:18 5 Occurrences |
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