Who was Harnepher in the Bible?

Harnepher was a descendant of the tribe of Asher, specifically listed as a son of Zophah. He appears only in a genealogical record within the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 7:36).

Why is Harnepher mentioned in the Bible?

Harnepher's mention preserves the genealogical line of the tribe of Asher, demonstrating God's faithfulness to record His people. His inclusion shows that even individuals with no narrated story are part of the larger biblical family and God's plan (1 Chronicles 7:30-40).

What was Harnepher's significance or role?

Harnepher had no specific narrated role or key events; his significance is solely genealogical. He represents one of many faithful descendants who maintained the tribal lineage of Israel, as recorded in 1 Chronicles.

Harnepher

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon of zophah

Harnepher was a descendant of Asher, son of Zophah. (1Ch.7.36)

Harnepher

Biography

Harnepher is listed in the genealogy of Asher in 1 Chronicles 7:36 as one of the sons of Zophah, a descendant of the tribe of Asher. The genealogical register in 1 Chronicles 7 catalogs the clans of Asher, highlighting heads of families and warriors who were distinguished in their generation. Harnepher's name appears within a list of eleven sons attributed to Zophah, each representing a family line within the tribal territory of Asher. The tribe of Asher occupied the northwestern coastal region of Canaan, and its genealogy in Chronicles reflects the chronicler's purpose of tracing the continuity of Israel's tribes across generations. While Harnepher receives no narrative treatment, his inclusion in sacred genealogy marks him as an established figure within Israel's ancestral record.

Significance

Harnepher's significance lies chiefly in his place within the tribal genealogy of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The chronicler's meticulous attention to genealogical detail, even for figures like Harnepher who appear only in lists, reflects the biblical conviction that every member of God's covenant people has a place and a name. These tribal records served essential social and religious functions: they established land rights, Levitical assignments, military eligibility, and community identity. Harnepher's name, preserved across centuries in the sacred text, testifies to the dignity God assigns to every person within the covenant community, however obscure their role may appear to later readers.

Verse Appearances (1)

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 7:36

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]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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