Hod
Hod was a descendant of Asher, mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Asher.
Biography
Hod was a member of the tribe of Asher, listed among the sons of Zophah in the genealogy preserved in 1 Chronicles 7:37. He appears in a lengthy register of Asherite clans whose primary purpose was to document the military strength and tribal identity of this northern tribe. Hod's name, which may carry connotations of "majesty" or "splendor" in Hebrew, is his only distinguishing feature in Scripture, as no deeds or events are associated with him beyond his genealogical position. He lived during a period when tribal records carried both administrative and religious significance for Israel's ongoing self-understanding as the covenant people of God. Though a minor figure by any historical measure, he represents the countless individuals whose lives formed the fabric of Israel's communal identity.
Significance
While Hod appears only in a genealogical list, his inclusion in 1 Chronicles 7 carries genuine theological weight. The Chronicler's careful preservation of tribal genealogies was not mere antiquarianism, it served to affirm the continuity of God's covenant with all twelve tribes, even those whose prominence had diminished or whose territory had been threatened by Assyrian expansion. Each name in these lists represents a life lived within the framework of the covenant community. Hod's place in the Asherite register reminds readers that the full scope of God's purposes encompasses the ordinary and largely unknown, not merely the kings, prophets, and heroes whose stories dominate the biblical narrative. Every name mattered to the God who called them.
Verse Appearances (1)
1 Chronicles
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]