{
  "id": "dict_003117",
  "term": "Kimham",
  "slug": "kimham",
  "letter": "K",
  "entry_type": "biblical_person",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Kimham was a man associated with Barzillai the Gileadite in the account of David’s return to Jerusalem. Jeremiah later mentions the lodging place of Chimham near Bethlehem, likely connected with him or his family.",
  "simple_one_line": "A man linked to Barzillai who was remembered in David’s return to Jerusalem, and possibly in the later place-name Chimham.",
  "tooltip_text": "A biblical man associated with Barzillai the Gileadite; Jeremiah 41 also mentions a lodging place of Chimham near Bethlehem.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Barzillai the Gileadite",
    "David",
    "Absalom’s rebellion",
    "Jeremiah"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "2 Samuel 19",
    "Jeremiah 41",
    "Bethlehem"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Kimham is a minor biblical figure associated with Barzillai the Gileadite in the narrative of David’s return after Absalom’s rebellion. Jeremiah 41 later mentions the lodging place of Chimham near Bethlehem, likely connected with the same name or family.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A minor biblical man connected with Barzillai and David’s return to Jerusalem.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Associated with Barzillai the Gileadite",
    "named in 2 Samuel 19",
    "Jeremiah 41 mentions Chimham’s lodging place near Bethlehem",
    "the exact person-place connection is probable but not stated with full precision."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Kimham is a minor biblical figure associated with Barzillai the Gileadite, who showed kindness to David during Absalom’s rebellion. In 2 Samuel 19, Barzillai requested that Kimham go with David, and David agreed to extend favor to him. Jeremiah 41:17 later mentions the lodging place of Chimham near Bethlehem, commonly understood to be connected with this same name or family, though the precise relationship is not explicitly defined in the text.",
  "description_academic_full": "Kimham appears in the historical narrative of 2 Samuel 19 in connection with Barzillai the Gileadite, one of the men who had supported David during Absalom’s revolt. When David invited Barzillai to come with him to Jerusalem, Barzillai declined because of his age and instead asked that Kimham go with the king. David accepted the request and expressed his intent to show him favor. Jeremiah 41:17 later refers to the lodging place of Chimham near Bethlehem, which most interpreters understand as connected to the same Kimham or to a property associated with his descendants. Because the biblical text does not spell out the relationship in detail, the identification should be stated carefully, but the figure is best treated as a proper name entry rather than a theological concept.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Kimham belongs to the post-Absalom-restoration narrative in 2 Samuel and is remembered in Jeremiah through a place-name near Bethlehem. His brief appearance highlights David’s gratitude toward those who had shown him loyalty.",
  "background_historical_context": "The reference comes from the period of David’s restored kingship after Absalom’s rebellion. The later mention in Jeremiah suggests that the name Kimham/Chimham may have been attached to a lodging place or property in the Bethlehem area.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "The later place-name in Jeremiah may reflect family land, a memorial association, or a local lodging site bearing the name of Kimham. The text itself does not require a more detailed historical reconstruction.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "2 Samuel 19:37-40",
    "Jeremiah 41:17"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "The Hebrew name is commonly rendered Kimham or Chimham in English Bibles; the variation reflects transliteration differences.",
  "theological_significance": "Kimham is not a major doctrinal figure, but the narrative underscores David’s gratitude, covenant loyalty, and the honoring of those who had served faithfully.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a proper-name entry, Kimham illustrates how biblical history preserves even minor individuals whose names become linked to memory, land, and communal loyalty.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Jeremiah 41:17 mentions the lodging place of Chimham, but the text does not explicitly explain the exact relationship between the place and the person named in 2 Samuel. The connection is probable, not certain, and should not be overstated.",
  "major_views_note": "Most readers identify the Chimham of Jeremiah 41 with the Kimham of 2 Samuel 19 or with his family, though the precise link remains inferential.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry concerns a biblical person and a likely related place-name, not a doctrine or theological system.",
  "practical_significance": "Kimham’s brief mention reminds readers that Scripture often preserves the names of ordinary people whose faithfulness, loyalty, or associations mattered in redemptive history.",
  "meta_description": "Kimham was a biblical figure associated with Barzillai the Gileadite, and Jeremiah 41 mentions the lodging place of Chimham near Bethlehem.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/kimham/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/kimham.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}