Who was Jacan in the Bible?

Jacan was a leader from the tribe of Gad, mentioned as living during the reign of King Jotham of Judah. He is listed among the heads of families in the Transjordan tribes (1 Chronicles 5:13).

Why is Jacan mentioned in 1 Chronicles?

Jacan is included in a genealogical record that establishes the lineage and military strength of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. His mention helps document the history and leadership structure of Israel before the exile.

What was Jacan's role or significance?

As a clan leader, Jacan represented his family within the tribe of Gad. His significance lies in being part of the recorded history of God's people, showing that even lesser-known individuals contributed to the community's identity.

Jacan

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeader

Jacan was a leader from the tribe of Gad during the reign of Jotham, king of Judah (1Ch.5.13).

Jacan

Biography

Jacan was a leader from the tribe of Gad whose name appears in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 5:13, set within the era of Jotham's reign over Judah. He is listed among the heads of ancestral houses in Gad who dwelt in the territory of Gilead and its surrounding regions east of the Jordan River. The Gadites were known as a fierce and capable tribal group, described in the Chronicles narrative as mighty warriors skilled in battle. While Jacan is identified only briefly, his inclusion in the official tribal register reflects the chronicler's careful attention to preserving the memory of leaders who maintained their families' standing and covenant identity during the often tumultuous period of the Divided Monarchy.

Significance

Jacan's brief mention in 1 Chronicles 5:13 exemplifies an important dimension of the biblical narrative: ordinary leaders whose faithful stewardship of their communities and tribal heritage preserved the covenant people of God. The Chronicler's meticulous genealogical records carry theological weight, affirming that God's covenant promises extended to every tribe of Israel, not just the prominent or famous. Jacan's place in the official tribal register of Gad reminds readers that the story of redemption was carried forward not only by prophets and kings but by countless unnamed and lesser-known leaders who held their communities together in faithfulness across generations.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 5:13

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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