Iphdeiah
Iphdeiah was a descendant of Benjamin through Shashak (1Ch.8.25).
Biography
Iphdeiah was a member of the tribe of Benjamin, recorded in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles 8:25 as one of the sons of Shashak. Shashak was a Benjaminite leader whose sons are enumerated in 1 Chronicles 8:22-25, reflecting important family heads within the tribe. Iphdeiah's name, which may carry the meaning 'the Lord redeems' or 'ransomed by God,' places him within a broader catalogue of Benjaminite clans that maintained their identity through centuries of Israelite history. The Benjaminite genealogies in 1 Chronicles 8 were particularly significant given that tribe's role in early Israelite monarchy and the settlement of Jerusalem, where many Benjaminite families resided.
Significance
Though Iphdeiah appears only in a single genealogical verse, his inclusion in the Benjaminite records of 1 Chronicles 8 underscores the comprehensive nature of Scripture's interest in Israel's tribal history. The genealogies served a vital function for post-exilic communities seeking to reestablish legal and social standing in the land. Iphdeiah's name, potentially meaning divine redemption, carries theological resonance: even in lists of minor figures, the names themselves testify to the faith and hopes of families who trusted in a God who redeems. His lineage contributed to the larger tapestry of Benjamin's tribal heritage.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Chr
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]