Hezron
Hezron was the son of Perez and grandson of Judah, and his descendants formed the Hezronite clan within the tribe of Judah.
Biography
Hezron son of Perez and grandson of Judah occupies a distinguished place in biblical genealogy, appearing in Genesis 46:12, Numbers 26:21, Ruth 4:18–19, and Matthew 1:3. He accompanied the household of Jacob to Egypt among the seventy who descended there, and his descendants, the Hezronites, formed one of the principal clans within the tribe of Judah. More significantly, Hezron stands in the direct ancestral line leading to David and ultimately to Jesus Christ. The book of Ruth traces the lineage from Hezron through Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David. Matthew's Gospel opens with this same genealogical thread, anchoring the Messiah's lineage in this tribal forefather.
Significance
Of the two biblical figures named Hezron, this son of Perez bears the greater theological weight. His inclusion in the messianic genealogies of Ruth 4 and Matthew 1 establishes him as an essential link in the chain through which God fulfilled his promise to Abraham and David. Hezron reminds readers that the Incarnation did not occur in a historical vacuum but was the culmination of generations of covenant faithfulness. His ancestry in the tribe of Judah aligns with Jacob's prophetic blessing in Genesis 49:10, which declared that the scepter would not depart from Judah. Every generation from Hezron forward was a step toward that ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Verse Appearances (14)
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]
