Who was Chenaanah in the Bible?

Chenaanah was a son of Bilhan and a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned in a genealogical list (1 Chronicles 7:10). He is part of the recorded lineage of Benjamin's family, but no specific events from his life are detailed in Scripture.

Why is Chenaanah mentioned in the Bible?

Chenaanah's mention preserves the genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin, which was important for establishing lineage, tribal identity, and inheritance rights in Israel. His inclusion helps trace the family lines within God's chosen people (1 Chronicles 7:6-12).

Are there any stories about Chenaanah in the Bible?

No, there are no narrative stories or key events recorded about Chenaanah. The Bible only lists his name in the genealogy of Benjamin's descendants to document the tribal lineage (1 Chronicles 7:10).

Chenaanah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Chenaanah was a son of Bilhan and descendant of Benjamin. (1Ch.7.10)

Chenaanah

Biography

This Chenaanah was a son of Bilhan and a descendant of Benjamin, listed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 7:10. He appears within the broader Benjaminite genealogy that traces the descendants of Jacob's youngest son through several generations. Bilhan himself was a son of Jediael, who was a son of Benjamin, placing Chenaanah three generations removed from the tribal patriarch. The Benjaminite genealogies in Chronicles served the post-exilic community by establishing the hereditary claims and tribal identities of those returning to the land. Chenaanah's name, which means "Canaanite" or relates to the word for merchant, is unusual for a Benjaminite but may reflect the complex naming practices or cultural interactions of the period. No narrative events are associated with this individual.

Significance

Chenaanah's appearance in the Benjaminite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 7:10 reflects the Chronicler's commitment to preserving the full genealogical record of all twelve tribes as the foundation of Israel's restored identity. Benjamin was a tribe of particular importance in the post-exilic period, Jerusalem sat on the border of Benjamin and Judah, and many returnees from exile were Benjaminites, including the apostle Paul's own ancestry (Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5). The meticulous recording of Benjaminite genealogies like Chenaanah's served to legitimate tribal claims and maintain the social fabric of the covenant community, reminding God's people that their identity was grounded in God's faithfulness across generations.

Authority Records

Wikidata

ChildZedekiah

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 7:10

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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