Who was Jarha in the Bible?

Jarha was an Egyptian servant who married the daughter of his master, Sheshan, a descendant of Judah. This marriage was arranged to preserve Sheshan's family line, as he had no sons (1 Chronicles 2:34-35).

Why is Jarha significant in the Bible?

Jarha's significance lies in his inclusion in the genealogy of Judah, showing God's grace in incorporating a foreign servant into the lineage. His descendants, through his son Attai, became part of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:34-36).

What key event involved Jarha?

The key event in Jarha's life was his marriage to the daughter of Sheshan. This act provided an heir for Sheshan's family and ensured the continuation of his lineage within the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:34-35).

Jarha

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleServantDaughter

Jarha was an Egyptian servant who married the daughter of Sheshan, a descendant of Judah.

Jarha

Biography

Jarha was an Egyptian servant belonging to Sheshan, a member of the Judahite clan of Jerahmeel, recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:34-35. Because Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, he gave his daughter in marriage to Jarha his servant in order to perpetuate his family line. This union between an Egyptian slave and a freeborn Israelite woman produced a son named Attai, from whom a notable lineage descended, chronicled for twelve generations in 1 Chronicles 2:36-41. The marriage of Jarha represents one of several instances in the Old Testament where ethnic and social boundaries were crossed to preserve family lineages within Israel. His story stands alongside those of other foreigners, such as Rahab and Ruth, who were remarkably incorporated into the covenant community of Israel.

Significance

Jarha's story carries significant theological weight as an example of the inclusivity at the heart of Israel's covenant community. As an Egyptian servant, he was incorporated into the tribe of Judah through marriage, and his descendants were recorded alongside Judah's noble families in the Chronicler's genealogies. This anticipates the consistent biblical theme that God's purposes are not limited by ethnicity or social standing. The preservation of his name and his twelve-generation lineage in 1 Chronicles 2 demonstrates that his descendants were recognized as genuine members of Israel. Jarha's integration into Judah foreshadows the New Testament proclamation that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free (Galatians 3:28), for all are one in the covenant family of God.

Authority Records

Wikidata

SpouseAhlaiChildAttai

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 2:34 1Chr 2:35

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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