חוּשַׁי
𐤇𐤅𐤔𐤉
Chushay
H2365 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name referring to an Israelite individual, specifically Hushai, known in the narrative of David. As a proper noun, the word does not describe a characteristic but identifies a historical figure. The root connotes haste or eagerness, but as a name, 'Hushai' functions exclusively as a designation of a particular person in the biblical account. Semantic range does not extend beyond its personal name usage in the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
personal name (Hushai), possible connotation of haste or swiftness as a name meaning
Root / Etymology
From the root חוּשׁ (ḥ-w-sh), meaning 'to hurry' or 'be eager'. 'Hushai' is likely a theophoric or descriptive personal name derived from this root, but its precise formation is uncertain, as it only occurs as a proper noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Hushai appears primarily in narratives concerning King David (notably 2 Samuel 15–17), where he is described as 'Hushai the Arkite,' a friend and counselor to David during Absalom's rebellion. The name likely means 'the hasty one' or 'swift,' but the biblical text applies it as a unique proper name, not as a descriptor. In English translations, 'Hushai' is retained as a personal name rather than translated. There is no evidence that this name refers to a particular Israelite tribe or territory. The term does not appear outside the context of this personal name in the Hebrew Bible and does not denote a group identity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חוּשׁ; hasty; Chushai, an Israelite; Hushai.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חושׁ (ḥ-w-sh) — to hurry, to be eager, to be prompt
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2365-01 |
חוּשַׁ֣י | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai | 12 |
H2365-03 |
וְ/חוּשַׁ֥י | vechushay | HC/Np |
and Hushai | and Hushai | 1 |
H2365-02 |
לְ/חוּשַׁ֣י | lechushay | HR/Np |
Hushai | to Hushai | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 15:32 | חוּשַׁ֣י | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 15:37 | חוּשַׁ֛י | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 16:16 | חוּשַׁ֧י | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 16:16 | חוּשַׁי֙ | chushay-2 | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 16:17 | חוּשַׁ֔י | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 16:18 | חוּשַׁי֮ | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |
H2365-02 |
2 Samuel 17:5 | לְ/חוּשַׁ֣י | lechushay | HR/Np |
Hushai | to Hushai |
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 17:6 | חוּשַׁי֮ | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 17:7 | חוּשַׁ֖י | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |
H2365-01 |
2 Samuel 17:8 | חוּשַׁ֗י | chushay | HNp |
Hushai | Hushai |