Who was Jekuthiel in the Bible?

Jekuthiel was a descendant of Judah, recorded as the son of Mered and the father (or founder) of the town of Zanoah. He is mentioned only in the genealogical records found in 1 Chronicles 4:18.

Why is Jekuthiel mentioned in the Bible?

Jekuthiel's mention establishes a historical and genealogical link within the tribe of Judah, showing the lineage from which the town of Zanoah was founded. His inclusion helps preserve the family records of God's people as part of Israel's history.

What does the name Jekuthiel mean?

The name Jekuthiel means 'hope of God' or 'God will nourish.' While the Bible does not elaborate on his personal story, names in genealogies often carried significant meaning about God's character or the parents' hopes.

Jekuthiel

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Jekuthiel was the son of Mered and the father (ie founder) of Zanoah, as recorded in the genealogy of Judah in 1 Chronicles.

Jekuthiel

Biography

Jekuthiel was a son of Mered from the tribe of Judah, identified in 1 Chronicles 4:18 as the founder ("father") of Zanoah, a town in the Shephelah lowlands of Judah later resettled after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 11:30). His mother was Jehudijah, described as "the Jewess," and his brothers were Jered, founder of Gedor, and Heber, founder of Soco, together making their family responsible for the establishment of three distinct Judahite communities. The designation "father of Zanoah" in the Chronicler's genealogical idiom indicates that Jekuthiel was either the literal founder or the most prominent early leader of the settlement, whose influence so defined the town that his name became permanently associated with it in Judah's tribal memory.

Significance

Jekuthiel's designation as founder of Zanoah (1 Chronicles 4:18) illustrates the intimate connection between genealogy and geography in the Hebrew understanding of covenantal inheritance. Land was not merely a physical resource but a divine gift distributed by tribal and family allotment, and men who established towns fulfilled God's promise to give Israel the land. Zanoah's later resettlement in the post-exilic period (Nehemiah 11:30) suggests the community Jekuthiel founded endured as an identifiable place long after his death. His story affirms the long-term significance of those who build lasting institutions and communities as acts of faithful stewardship within God's covenant purposes for his people.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:18

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]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources