Who was Helah in the Bible?

Helah was one of the two wives of Ashhur, a descendant of Judah, and the mother of several sons including Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan. She is mentioned in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4:5-7.

Why is Helah mentioned in the Bible?

Helah is mentioned to establish the lineage of the tribe of Judah, showing the family line of Ashhur, who was the father of Tekoa. Her inclusion highlights the importance of family and maternal lines in Israel's history (1 Chronicles 4:5-7).

What is significant about Helah being a wife of Ashhur?

As one of Ashhur's two wives, Helah's role was to bear children and continue the family line within the tribe of Judah. This reflects the cultural practice of the time where genealogical continuity was crucial for tribal identity and inheritance.

Helah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyFemaleFrom judah(?)

Helah was one of the two wives of Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, from the tribe of Judah. (1Ch.4.5,7)

Helah

Biography

Helah was one of the two wives of Ashhur, who is described in 1 Chronicles 4:5 as the father of Tekoa, a town in the hill country of Judah later associated with the prophet Amos and the wise woman who interceded before David (2 Samuel 14). Helah is distinguished from Ashhur's other wife, Naarah, and her sons are listed in 1 Chronicles 4:7 as Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Though the narrative provides no personal details about Helah's life or character, her inclusion in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah marks her as a recognized ancestress within a line that the Chronicler considered important to preserve. Her sons' names suggest she was a woman of standing within her community, and the careful distinction between her children and those of Naarah indicates the accuracy and intentionality of these tribal records.

Significance

Helah's brief mention in the Judahite genealogy (1 Chronicles 4:5–7) reflects the broader biblical practice of honoring women as genuine contributors to the covenant lineage. While her personal story remains unrecorded, her inclusion alongside Naarah demonstrates that biblical genealogies do not erase wives from the record of ancestral families. The Chronicler's attention to both wives of Ashhur suggests an intentional preservation of family memory, honoring the maternal lines that shaped Judah's clans. Helah's legacy is carried forward in her sons, who in turn populate the genealogical tapestry that ultimately leads through Judah to David and, in the fullness of time, to the Messiah.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 4:5 1Chr 4:7

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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