Who was Ahi in the Bible?

Ahi was a minor figure, a son of Shomer (or Shamer), and a descendant of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He is mentioned only in a genealogical list in 1 Chronicles 7:34.

Why is Ahi mentioned in the Bible?

Ahi's mention preserves the genealogical record of the tribe of Asher, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham's descendants. His inclusion shows that every individual, even those with no recorded actions, is part of God's larger story of redemption.

Are there any stories about Ahi in the Bible?

No, there are no stories or key events recorded about Ahi's life. The Bible only lists his name and lineage, identifying him as part of the tribe of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:34).

Ahi

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Ahi (or "brother") was a son of Shomer (or 'Shamer'), a descendant of Asher. (1Ch.7.34)

Ahi

Biography

This Ahi was a son of Shomer (also spelled Shamer) and appears in the genealogy of Asher in 1 Chronicles 7:34. He is listed among the sons of Shomer alongside brothers Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram, all within the broader enumeration of Asherite clans that the Chronicler preserves as part of Israel's tribal record. The name Ahi in Hebrew simply means 'my brother' or 'brother,' a name that may reflect covenantal solidarity or family distinction within the clan. His era is associated with the Divided Monarchy period by context, though the genealogy itself reaches back to the settlement period. Beyond his placement in this lineage, no narrative account of his life, children, or deeds has survived in the biblical record.

Significance

The Asherite Ahi contributes to the Chronicler's comprehensive portrait of Israel's northern tribal heritage. The tribe of Asher, originally settled in the coastal and Galilean regions of Canaan (Josh. 19:24-31), maintained its tribal identity across centuries of political upheaval. By preserving the genealogical memory of figures like Ahi, the Chronicler affirms that even the northern tribes, swept away by Assyrian conquest in 722 BC, remained part of the covenant people's remembered history. This preservation carries an implicit hope of restoration for all Israel, a theme central to the prophets (Ezek. 37:15-22) and ultimately fulfilled in Christ, in whom the division between peoples is overcome (Eph. 2:14-16).

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherAbdiel

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 7:34

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]

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