2828. Chashum
Lexical Summary
Chashum: Chashum

Original Word: חָשֻׁם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Chashum
Pronunciation: khaw-SHOOM
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-shoom')
KJV: Hashum
NASB: Hashum
Word Origin: [from the same as H2831 (חַשׁמַן - envoys)]

1. enriched
2. Chashum, the name of two or three Israelites

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 Origin
of 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.
2. The restoration community was built on traceable covenant bloodlines, fulfilling prophetic assurances of national continuity (Isaiah 10:20-22; Jeremiah 23:3).

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.
2. Accountability: Their inclusion in the list of offenders (Ezra 10) and later as covenant signatories (Nehemiah 10) reminds believers that genuine devotion requires ongoing self-examination and corrective action.
3. Lay Leadership: Standing with Ezra, Hashum demonstrates that knowledgeable, God-fearing laypersons are vital partners in public ministry and spiritual reform.
4. Growth amid Adversity: The numerical increase from 223 to 328 attests that obedience, however imperfect, invites divine blessing even in difficult circumstances (Haggai 2:19).

Key Reflection Points

• God preserves names and numbers because individual families matter in His redemptive plan.
• Transparent records of sin and repentance encourage future generations to walk in integrity.
• Covenant renewal is not a one-time event but a rhythm of life for the people of God, requiring both leaders and laity to stand together under the authority of Scripture.

Forms and Transliterations
וְחָשֻׁ֥ם וחשם חָשֻׁ֑ם חָשֻׁ֔ם חָשֻׁ֖ם חשם chaShum ḥā·šum ḥāšum vechaShum wə·ḥā·šum wəḥāšum
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: מִבְּנֵ֖י חָשֻׁ֑ם מַתְּנַ֤י מַתַּתָּה֙
NAS: of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai,
KJV: Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai,
INT: of the sons of Hashum Mattenai Mattattah

Nehemiah 7:22
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י חָשֻׁ֔ם שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת
NAS: the sons of Hashum, 328;
KJV: The children of Hashum, three hundred
INT: the children of Hashum three hundred

Nehemiah 8:4
HEB: וּמִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל וּמַלְכִּיָּ֛ה וְחָשֻׁ֥ם וְחַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה זְכַרְיָ֥ה
NAS: Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah,
KJV: and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana,
INT: Mishael Malchijah Hashum Hashbaddanah Zechariah

Nehemiah 10:18
HEB: הוֹדִיָּ֥ה חָשֻׁ֖ם בֵּצָֽי׃
NAS: Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,
KJV: Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
INT: Hodiah Hashum Bezai

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2828
5 Occurrences


ḥā·šum — 4 Occ.
wə·ḥā·šum — 1 Occ.

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