Jaareshiah
Jaareshiah was a descendant of Benjamin through Jeroham (1Ch.8.27).
Biography
Jaareshiah was a Benjamite, listed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 8:27 as a son of Jeroham. He belonged to the extensive clan network of the tribe of Benjamin, whose genealogies the Chronicler records with particular care given Benjamin's significance as the tribe of Saul and its proximity to Jerusalem. The genealogical section in which Jaareshiah appears catalogues prominent Benjamite families, some of whom resided in Jerusalem and its surroundings. While Jaareshiah leaves no individual narrative in Scripture, his inclusion among the sons of Jeroham suggests he held a recognized place within the tribal hierarchy. His name, meaning something akin to 'Yahweh plants' or 'Yahweh enriches,' reflects the theophoric naming conventions common in ancient Israel.
Significance
Jaareshiah's entry in the Benjamite genealogy contributes to the Chronicler's broader theological project of establishing the legitimacy and continuity of the covenant community. Benjamin's genealogy was especially important for post-exilic readers because it anchored the tribe's claim to its ancestral identity despite the disruptions of conquest and deportation. Names like Jaareshiah, embedded in these lists, affirm that God had preserved a faithful remnant within each tribe. The theophoric element in his name, invoking Yahweh, also signals a community that understood its existence and heritage as entirely dependent upon divine grace and action.
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]