Hotham חוֹתָם
A descendant of Asher.
Who is Hotham in the Bible?
Hotham, also known as Helem, was a descendant of the tribe of Asher mentioned in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 7:32 and 7:35. He appears in the lineage of Asher as a son of Heber and brother to Shomer, Shual, Beri, and Imrah, representing one generation in the detailed family tree of this Israelite tribe. The dual naming of Hotham and Helem may indicate either variant names for the same individual or reflect different genealogical traditions within the biblical record. His inclusion in 1 Chronicles demonstrates the biblical interest in preserving the tribal ancestry and family lines of Israel's twelve tribes, though Hotham himself is not described as performing any significant actions in Scripture.
Biography
Hotham, also referred to as Helem, is mentioned in 1Ch.7.32 and 1Ch.7.35 as part of the genealogy of the tribe of Asher. In verse 32, Hotham is listed as one of the sons of Heber, along with Shomer, Shual, Beri, and Imrah. Heber was a descendant of Beriah, one of the sons of Asher.
In verse 35, Hotham is mentioned again, this time as the brother of Shemer (possibly the same person as Shomer in verse 32) and the son of Helem. This suggests that Hotham and Helem may be different names for the same individual, or that there is a discrepancy in the genealogical record.
The tribe of Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Asher, the eighth son of Israel (or 'Jacob'). The genealogies in 1 Chronicles 7 provide a detailed record of the descendants of Asher, highlighting the importance of family lineage and tribal identity in ancient Israel.
Apart from being mentioned in these genealogical lists, no further information is provided about Hotham or Helem in the Bible. Their inclusion in the genealogy of Asher serves to establish their place within the tribal lineage and to demonstrate the continuity of the family line from one generation to the next.
Family
Parents
Siblings
Offspring
- Zophah Tribe of AsherSon of HothamSon of Hotham, an AsheriteView full profile →
- Imna Tribe of AsherSon of HothamA descendant of Asher.View full profile →
- Shelesh Tribe of AsherSon of HothamSon of Hotham, an AsheriteView full profile →
- Amal Tribe of AsherSon of HothamSon of Helem, an AsheriteView full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 7:32
"Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham, and of their sister Shua."
- 1 Chronicles 7:35
"The sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | חוֹתָם |
| Named | Hebrew | הֶ֫לֶם |