Jerahmeel
Jerahmeel was the son of Hezron and a prominent figure in the genealogy of Judah, with his descendants being called the Jerahmeelites.
Biography
Jerahmeel was the firstborn son of Hezron and a grandson of Perez, son of Judah. He stands as one of the founding figures in the genealogy of Judah recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:9-41, where an extensive list of his descendants is provided. He had three sons, Ram, Bunah, and Oren, by his first wife, and additional children through a second wife named Atarah, whose son Onam continued the family line. The clan descended from Jerahmeel came to be known as the Jerahmeelites, a group mentioned in 1 Samuel 27:10 and 30:29 as a people inhabiting the Negev region of southern Judah during David's time. His lineage represents a significant branch within the tribe of Judah.
Significance
Jerahmeel's genealogical prominence connects him to the messianic line preserved within the tribe of Judah. The detailed attention given to his descendants in 1 Chronicles reflects the Chronicler's interest in tracing the faithful remnant through whom God preserved his covenant purposes. The Jerahmeelites' presence in the Negev during David's era also links this family to the early formation of David's kingdom, as David maintained relationships with their communities (1 Samuel 30:29). Theologically, Jerahmeel illustrates how God's redemptive story advances through ordinary family lineages, each generation carrying forward the covenant promises made to Judah.
Verse Appearances (8)
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]