Who was Jeroham in the Bible?

Jeroham was a leader from the tribe of Dan who lived during the reign of King David. He is listed as the father of Elkanah and the grandfather of the prophet Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:27-28, 34).

Why is Jeroham significant in the Bible?

Jeroham's significance comes primarily from his lineage, as he was an ancestor of the prophet Samuel. This connection places him within an important priestly and prophetic family in Israel's history.

What do we know about Jeroham's life and family?

The Bible records Jeroham as a Danite leader and the father of Elkanah. His grandson was Samuel, who became a great judge and prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings (1 Samuel 1:1, 1 Chronicles 6:27-28).

Jeroham

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLeader

Jeroham was a leader from the tribe of Dan during the reign of King David.

Jeroham

Biography

Jeroham was the father of Azarel, who served as the officer appointed over the tribe of Dan during King David's administrative organization of Israel (1 Chronicles 27:22). David structured the oversight of Israel's twelve tribes through appointed leaders, one for each tribe, who likely managed census records, military conscription, and regional governance. Dan, one of the northern tribes with coastal and upper Galilee territories, required capable leadership, and Azarel son of Jeroham was David's chosen officer for this role. Jeroham thus stands behind a figure of regional authority in David's kingdom, his son elevated to a position of tribal governance that reflected trust from the royal administration.

Significance

Jeroham's significance is expressed through the office his son Azarel held as tribal officer over Dan during David's reign. The appointment of qualified leaders for each tribe reflects David's commitment to ordered, just governance across all Israel, an administrative vision that mirrored the covenantal ideal of a unified people under God's king. Dan's territory, stretching from the coast near Joppa northward to Laish (later called Dan), was strategically important and religiously complex. That Jeroham's family was entrusted with its governance speaks to their recognized capability and loyalty. Theologically, this record affirms that God's kingdom advances through structured, accountable human leadership, prefiguring the ordered community of the New Covenant church.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherElihuChildElkanah

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 27:22

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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