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Zurishaddai

biblical_person theological_term standard

Zurishaddai is an Old Testament personal name, known as the father of Shelumiel, a leader of the tribe of Simeon during Israel’s wilderness organization.

At a Glance

A biblical personal name in Numbers, known only through his son Shelumiel, a Simeonite leader.

Key Points

Description

Zurishaddai is a personal name found in Numbers, where he is identified as the father of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, one of the leaders associated with the tribe of Simeon. His name appears in the context of Israel’s wilderness census and camp organization under Moses. Scripture does not provide a separate narrative about Zurishaddai himself, so the entry should be treated as a minor biblical person-name notice rather than as a theological theme.

Biblical Context

Zurishaddai appears in the wilderness sections of Numbers, where the tribes are numbered and arranged for march and encampment. He is known only through references to his son Shelumiel, a Simeonite leader.

Historical Context

The name belongs to the period of Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan, when tribal leaders were identified for census, ordering, and service. Such references reflect the organized structure of Israel’s camp under Moses.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In the ancient Israelite setting, a father’s name often helped locate a man within a tribe and family line. Zurishaddai’s mention serves that genealogical and administrative purpose rather than a narrative one.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The name is commonly understood to include the idea of a ‘rock’ or ‘my rock’ and the divine title Shaddai, ‘the Almighty.’

Theological Significance

Zurishaddai has little direct doctrinal content, but his mention contributes to the historical reliability and orderly structure of the wilderness narratives in Numbers.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name in a historical record, Zurishaddai functions as a marker of identity and continuity within Israel’s covenant community rather than as an abstract concept.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build theology from silence or assume details not given by Scripture. Zurishaddai is identified only indirectly, through his son Shelumiel.

Major Views

There are no major interpretive disputes about the basic identification of Zurishaddai in Numbers.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry is a historical and genealogical notice, not a doctrine. It should not be used to derive theological claims beyond the plain text.

Practical Significance

The entry reminds readers that Scripture records ordinary names and family lines as part of God’s real historical dealings with Israel.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Zurishaddai

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