chimham Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
chimham in Easton's Bible Dictionary
pining, probably the youngest son of Barzillai the Gileadite (2 Sam. 19:37-40). The "habitation of Chimham" (Jer. 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).
chimham in Smith's Bible Dictionary
(longing), a follower and probably a son, of Barzillai the Gileadite, who returned from beyond Jordan with David. #2Sa 19:37,38,40| (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. #Jer 41:17|
chimham in Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CHIM'HAM . 2 Sam 19:37. It is possible he was a son of Barzillai, but it cannot be certainly inferred from 1 Kgs 2:7, which is sometimes cited to prove it. Some have supposed that David gave Chimham a parcel of land which was afterward known by his name. Jer 41:17.
chimham in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
2 Samuel 19:34; 2 Samuel 19:37-40. Taken by David to court, instead of Barzillai the Gileadite, his father, to whom the king owed a debt of gratitude for help in his flight from Absalom. In Jeremiah 41:17, ages after, the Jewish refugees from the Babylonians "dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt." David's patrimony was at Bethlehem; and this incidental notice leads to the inference that, having undertaken to provide for Chimham, he conferred on him his personal patrimony, subject to the reversion to David's heirs at the year of Jubilee; hence it was called "the habitation of Chimham."