Who was Ephah in the Bible?

Ephah was a concubine of Caleb, son of Hezron, from the tribe of Judah. She bore Caleb three sons: Haran, Moza, and Gazez, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:46.

What is the significance of Ephah in the Bible?

Ephah's significance lies in her role in continuing Caleb's lineage within the tribe of Judah. Her sons are listed in the genealogical records, which were crucial for establishing tribal heritage and land inheritance in Israel (1 Chronicles 2:46).

What key events are associated with Ephah?

The only key event recorded for Ephah is her bearing three sons to Caleb. This event is her sole mention in the Bible, placing her within the genealogy of Judah leading to King David (1 Chronicles 2:9-55).

Ephah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyFemaleMother

Ephah was a concubine of Caleb who bore him three sons: Haran, Moza, and Gazez (1Ch.2.46).

Ephah

Biography

Ephah was a concubine of Caleb, the celebrated leader of the tribe of Judah, and is recorded in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles 2:46. Through her union with Caleb she bore three sons: Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Additionally, Haran himself fathered a son also named Gazez, adding another generation to this branch of the Calebite family. Ephah's inclusion in the Chronicler's genealogy is notable given that she held the status of concubine rather than wife, a social position that, while secondary in legal standing, did not prevent her children from being recognized as legitimate members of their father's household and tribe. Her sons thus contributed to the expanding lineage of Caleb, one of the most heroic figures in Israel's conquest narratives.

Significance

Ephah's presence in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 2 reflects the Chronicler's commitment to comprehensiveness in tracing the descendants of Israel's key families. Her inclusion as a concubine alongside named wives demonstrates that the biblical record does not erase the complex social realities of ancient Israelite society. Theologically, her story contributes to the broader portrait of Caleb's household, a family celebrated for its faithfulness and rewarded with a significant inheritance in Canaan (Joshua 14:13–14). The expansion of Caleb's line through Ephah and her sons illustrates how God's blessing upon faithful leaders extended through their households, producing generations who would inhabit and shape the land of promise.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherMidianSiblingAbidaSiblingEpherSiblingEnochSiblingElda'a

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:46

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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