Who was Hepher in the Bible?

Hepher was a man from the tribe of Judah, recorded as a son of Ashhur and the father of Tekoa (1 Chronicles 4:5-6). His mention is brief, establishing his place within the genealogical records of Judah's descendants.

Why is Hepher mentioned in the Bible?

Hepher's primary significance is genealogical, as his listing helps trace the lineage of the tribe of Judah. This preserves the family history of God's people, connecting later generations back to the patriarchs.

Are there any stories about Hepher in the Bible?

No, there are no narrative stories or key events recorded about Hepher's life. The Bible only mentions his name and family relations within a genealogy (1 Chronicles 4:5-6).

Hepher

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Hepher was a son of Ashhur, a descendant of Judah. (1Ch.4.6)

Hepher

Biography

Hepher was a son of Ashhur, a descendant belonging to the tribe of Judah, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:6. His mother was Naarah, one of Ashhur's two wives, and he had siblings including Ahuzzam, Temeni, and Haahashtari. Hepher appears in the genealogical register of Judah's descendants compiled in 1 Chronicles 4, a section that carefully documents the expansion of Judah's tribal families during the period of the monarchy. While no biographical narrative accompanies his listing, his inclusion in the Chronicler's record demonstrates that he was regarded as a significant ancestor within Judah's extended family structure, contributing to the lineage from which the Davidic line would emerge.

Significance

Hepher's place in the genealogy of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:6) reflects the Chronicler's theological conviction that God's purposes are carried forward through ordinary family lines as much as through extraordinary individuals. The careful preservation of names like Hepher within tribal records underscores Israel's understanding that identity, land, and covenant blessing were transmitted through generations. Every name in these lists represents a link in the chain of God's faithfulness to His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Hepher's inclusion in Judah's genealogy thus quietly testifies to the continuity of God's covenantal care across generations, even when individuals themselves leave no dramatic story behind.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherGileadChildZelophehadSiblingAbiezerSiblingAsrielSiblingHelekSiblingShemidaSiblingShechem

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:6

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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