Chimham

pining, probably the youngest son of Barzillai the Gileadite ( 2 Samuel 19:37-40 ). The "habitation of Chimham" ( Jeremiah 41:17 ) was probably an inn or khan, which is the proper meaning of the Hebrew geruth , rendered "habitation", established in later times in his possession at Bethlehem, which David gave to him as a reward for his loyalty in accompanying him to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom ( 1 Kings 2:7 ). It has been supposed that, considering the stationary character of Eastern institutions, it was in the stable of this inn or caravanserai that our Saviour was born ( Luke 2:7 ).

as they; like to them

(longing ), a follower and probably a son, of Barzillai the Gileadite, who returned from beyond Jordan with David. ( 2 Samuel 19:37 2 Samuel 19:38 2 Samuel 19:40 ) (B C 1023.) David appears to have bestowed on him a possession at Bethlehem, on which, in later times, an inn or khan was standing. ( Jeremiah 41:17 )

CHIMHAM

kim'-ham (kimham (2 Samuel 19:37,38) or kimhan (2 Samuel 19:40) or kemohem (Jeremiah 41:17 Kt.); this reading, however, may probably be safely ignored):

One of the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, who supported David while the latter was in exile in Mahanaim (2 Samuel 19:37). After the death of Absalom, Barzillai was invited to spend the remainder of his life with the king; but he refused, and sent his son Chimham in his stead. From the mention of "the habitation of Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem" (Jeremiah 41:17 the King James Version), it has been inferred that Chimham received a grant of land from David's patrimony at Bethlehem, which retained his name for at least four centuries. It has been suggested that his name was probably Ahinoam ('achino`am).

Horace J. Wolf