Ishi

The name Ishi belongs to four men in the genealogies of Judah, Simeon, and the Transjordanian half-tribe of Manasseh, and it surfaces also as a symbolic name on Yahweh's lips through the prophet Hosea. The four men are unrelated, and the prophetic usage stands apart from the genealogical figures.

A Symbolic Name on Yahweh's Lips

In Hosea, the restored covenant language puts a new term in Israel's mouth. "And it will be at that day, says Yahweh, that you will call: Ishi; and will call me no more: Baali" (Hos 2:16). The verse pairs two terms Israel had used for her covenant Lord and replaces one with the other.

A Son of Appaim (Judah)

In the genealogy of Judah through Jerahmeel, Ishi appears as a single-generation link in the line that runs through Sheshan to Ahlai. "And the sons of Appaim: Ishi. And the sons of Ishi: Sheshan. And the sons of Sheshan: Ahlai" (1Ch 2:31).

A Descendant of Judah Through Shimon

A second Ishi sits further down the Judahite list, beside the sons of Shimon. "And the sons of Shimon: Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi: Zoheth, and Ben-zoheth" (1Ch 4:20). The verse names his two sons but says nothing further of him.

A Simeonite Whose Sons Led the Raid on Mount Seir

Among the Simeonites, Ishi is named as the father of the four captains who led five hundred of his tribesmen against the remnant of Amalek in mount Seir. "And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi" (1Ch 4:42).

A Head of Manasseh East of the Jordan

The fourth Ishi is listed among the heads of the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh. "And these were the heads of their fathers' houses: even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses" (1Ch 5:24). He is grouped with seven named men of valor at the head of the tribal houses east of the Jordan.