Who was Eker in the Bible?

Eker was a man from the tribe of Judah, listed as a son of Ram and a descendant of Jerahmeel (1 Chronicles 2:27). He is only mentioned in a genealogical record, with no narrative events from his life provided.

Why is Eker mentioned in the Bible?

Eker's inclusion establishes the continuity and legitimacy of the Davidic and ultimately Messianic line from the tribe of Judah. His mention in the genealogy (1 Chronicles 2:27) helps trace the lineage of King David and Jesus Christ.

What does the name Eker mean?

The name Eker (Hebrew: עֵ֫קֶר) likely means 'offshoot,' 'root,' or 'posterity.' This meaning fits his role in the biblical genealogies as a descendant who continues the family line of Judah.

Eker

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Eker was a son of Ram and descendant of Judah.

Eker

Biography

Eker was a son of Ram and a descendant of the tribe of Judah, his name preserved in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:27. He is listed among the sons of Ram alongside Maaz and Jamin, within the broader genealogy that traces Judah's descendants through Jerahmeel. The Jerahmeelite branch of Judah's genealogy, recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:25-41, documents a significant clan within the tribe. The name Eker likely means "root" or "offshoot," suggesting foundational family standing. As with many genealogical figures, no narrative details accompany his name, and his significance is found entirely within the genealogical structure that preserves his lineage as part of the documented history of the tribe of Judah.

Significance

Eker's inclusion in the genealogy of Judah through the Jerahmeelite line reflects the Chronicler's comprehensive effort to document the full extent of Judah's tribal family. The tribe of Judah held preeminent importance in Israel's history as the tribe from which David and ultimately the Messiah descended (Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1:2-3). Every branch of that tribal tree, including the Jerahmeelites and their descendants like Eker, contributed to the genealogical fabric from which God's redemptive purposes were woven. Though Eker himself fades into the background of genealogical records, his name preserved in Scripture affirms the divine attentiveness to every family within the covenant people of Israel.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherRamSiblingMaazSiblingJamin

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:27

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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