Who was Ishma in the Bible?

Ishma was a man from the tribe of Judah, specifically recorded as a son of Hur and a descendant of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:3). His brief mention places him within the genealogical records of Israel's history.

Why is Ishma mentioned in the Bible?

Ishma is mentioned to establish a clear genealogical line within the tribe of Judah, showing God's faithfulness to His covenant people through their recorded family history. His inclusion helps trace the lineage from which King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ would come.

What do we know about Ishma's life and family?

The Bible only tells us that Ishma was the son of Hur, making him part of Judah's clan (1 Chronicles 4:3). No specific events or deeds from his life are recorded, highlighting that his primary significance is his place in the ancestral record.

Ishma

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon

Ishma was a son of Hur, a descendant of Judah (1Ch.4.3).

Ishma

Biography

Ishma was a son of Hur, a descendant of Judah listed in the early genealogical section of 1 Chronicles (4:3). He is named alongside his brothers Jezreel and Idbash, with their sister Hazzelelponi also recorded, an unusual detail that highlights the Chronicler's interest in preserving complete family records. Hur was a prominent figure in Judah's lineage, associated with Bethlehem and the founding of key Judahite towns. Ishma's era is identified with the period of Egypt and the Wilderness, situating him among the early generations following the patriarchs. His name, possibly related to the Hebrew root for "desolation" or alternatively a variant of the name Ishmael (meaning "God hears"), reflects the naming customs of his time.

Significance

Though Ishma himself leaves no recorded deeds in Scripture, his genealogical position in the line of Hur and Judah places him in close proximity to some of the most significant lineages in Israel's history. The family of Hur in Judah is connected with Caleb and ultimately with the Davidic ancestry, making even obscure members of this family relevant to the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes. The inclusion of Ishma and his siblings, along with their sister Hazzelelponi, demonstrates that the biblical genealogies honor entire family units, not only the prominent or famous. This reflects a theology of communal identity in which every member of the covenant people contributes to the larger story.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:3

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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