Who was Ahaz in the Bible?

Ahaz was a descendant of King Saul and his son Jonathan, belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. He is listed in the genealogical records found in 1 Chronicles 8:35-36 and 9:42.

Why is Ahaz mentioned in the Bible?

Ahaz is mentioned to preserve the genealogical line of Saul and Jonathan, showing God's faithfulness to their family despite Saul's kingship ending. His inclusion connects the tribe of Benjamin to its royal history.

What is significant about Ahaz being from the tribe of Benjamin?

His lineage from Benjamin is significant because it traces the continuation of Saul's family after his death. This genealogy later connects to important figures like Mordecai and the Apostle Paul, who were also from Benjamin.

Ahaz

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSaul's family

Ahaz was a descendant of Saul and Jonathan, from the tribe of Benjamin. (1Ch.8.35,36; 9.42)

Ahaz

Biography

This Ahaz was a member of the royal house of Saul, appearing in the Benjamite genealogies of 1 Chronicles 8:35-36 and 9:42. He was a son of Micah and a descendant of Jonathan, Saul's son. The genealogy traces the family line of Saul's surviving descendants, a lineage that remained historically significant particularly in relation to Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, whom David honored for his father's sake (2 Sam. 9). Ahaz of this line lived during the era of the United Monarchy, several generations after Saul himself. He is credited with fathering Jehoaddah (or Jarah), continuing a line that the Chronicler preserves with evident care. His primary scriptural function is genealogical, anchoring a Benjamite lineage within the broader record of Israel's tribal history.

Significance

The Benjamite Ahaz serves the theological purposes of the Chronicler's genealogical project: demonstrating the continuity of tribal identity and the preservation of Saul's family line despite Israel's turbulent history. That the Chronicler records descendants of Saul's house with such care reflects a nuanced view of Israel's past, even a dynasty superseded by David's retains its place in the covenant community's memory. This genealogical preservation also underscores God's faithfulness to His people across generations. From a broader canonical perspective, the meticulous maintenance of tribal records in Chronicles laid the groundwork for the genealogical attestations essential to the New Testament's proclamation of Jesus as a verifiable descendant of David.

Authority Records

Wikidata VIAF Library of Congress GND

FatherJothamSpouseAbijahChildHezekiah

Verse Appearances (3)

1Chr

1Chr 8:35 1Chr 8:36 1Chr 9:42

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources