Ephlal
Ephlal was the son of Zabad, who was a descendant of Judah through Jerahmeel (1Ch.2.37).
Biography
Ephlal was a descendant of the tribe of Judah through the line of Jerahmeel, recorded in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 2:37. He is identified as the son of Zabad and the father of Obed, linking him to an extended lineage that traced back through Jarha, an Egyptian servant who married into the family of Sheshan, a Jerahmeelite. This remarkable genealogical line demonstrates the inclusive nature of Judah's tribal heritage, incorporating a foreign servant into the ancestral record. Ephlal's position in this chain is modest, he is neither the first notable figure in the line nor the last, but he plays an essential role in connecting generations within this particular branch of the tribe of Judah.
Significance
Ephlal's genealogical position in 1 Chronicles 2:37 carries quiet but meaningful significance. His ancestry traces back to Jarha, an Egyptian incorporated into the Israelite community through marriage, a testament to the openness of the covenant people to those who joined them. This lineage anticipates the broader biblical theme of Gentile inclusion in the people of God. Ephlal's place in the record affirms the Chronicler's insistence that God's purposes work through the faithful continuity of families across generations. Even those who appear only as links in a genealogical chain serve the divine narrative by ensuring that God's covenant promises were carried forward to the next generation.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Chr
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]