Keren-Happuch

Keren-Happuch is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, appearing in the Old Testament as the third daughter of Job. The name means "horn of antimony" (or "horn of kohl"), referring to a cosmetic powder used as eye shadow. In ancient times, kohl was often stored in hollowed animal horns, hence the literal translation. The Hebrew form is Qeren Happukh (קֶרֶן הַפּוּךְ), which emphasizes the biblical roots.

Etymology and Meaning

The name Keren-Happuch is composed of two Hebrew elements: qeren (קֶרֶן), meaning "horn," and happuch (הַפּוּךְ), a term for antimony or kohl. This compound name vividly evokes the cosmetic jar of the ancient Near East, highlighting cultural practices of beauty and adornment.

Biblical Context and Cultural Significance

According to the Book of Job (42:14-15), Keren-Happuch was born to Job after his restoration from suffering. She, along with her sisters Jemima and Keziah, was praised for extraordinary beauty—"more beautiful than all the other women in the land." Notable is that Job gave them an inheritance alongside their brothers, an unusual act in patriarchal biblical society, reflecting their elevated status. This detail underscores Job's complete recovery and prosperity. The daughters' beauty tests the interpretation as symbolic of Job's renewed health, from a loathsome disease to full well-being.

The name itself has been used among English speakers rarely, typically for families who adhere to certain Christian traditions that prefer obscure biblical names.

Related Names

The name is directly related to the biblical Hebrew form Qeren Happukh, used in the Old Testament. Its root is in the name Job, from the Hebrew אִיּוֹב, meaning "persecuted" or "hated."

• Meaning: Horn of antimony (kohl)
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name
• Usage: English Bibe