Who was Jeush in the Bible?

Jeush was a Benjamite, listed as a son of Eleasah (also called Eshek) in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:39). He is mentioned only in this genealogical record, with no further narrative about his life.

What is the significance of Jeush in the Bible?

Jeush's significance is primarily genealogical, as his inclusion in the record of 1 Chronicles 8 preserves the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin. This lineage was important for establishing tribal heritage and the ancestry of King Saul, who was from Benjamin.

Are there any key events in the life of Jeush?

The Bible records no key events in Jeush's life. His mention is limited to his name and familial relationship within a list of descendants, indicating his role was to continue the family line rather than participate in recorded historical events.

Jeush

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSaul's family

Jeush, a Benjamite, was a son of Eleasah (or 'Eshek') (1Ch.8.39).

Jeush

Biography

This Jeush was a Benjamite descendant from the line of Saul, listed in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 8:39, identified as a son of Eshek (or Eleasah), who was himself a descendant of Saul's line through Jonathan. The genealogy traces Saul's family forward into later generations, demonstrating the survival and continuation of the Saulide lineage long after Saul's death. Jeush is listed alongside his brothers Jehoram and Eliphelet as part of this extended family record. These descendants of Saul through Benjamin represent one of the later offshoots of the royal family that had been supplanted by David's dynasty. The Chronicler's preservation of this genealogy reflects an interest in documenting the complete history of Saul's line, even into the post-monarchic period.

Significance

The preservation of Saulide genealogy including Jeush in 1 Chronicles 8 carries theological resonance against the backdrop of the Davidic covenant. David's generosity toward Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9) demonstrated that the Saulide line was not entirely erased, and the Chronicler's continued documentation of Saul's descendants reinforces this. The coexistence of Saulide and Davidic lineages within the post-exilic community speaks to the complex memory of Israel's monarchic past and God's sovereign management of dynastic transitions. Jeush's place in this genealogy also illustrates the Benjamite identity of Saul's extended family, a tribe whose complicated relationship with the Davidic dynasty spans much of the biblical narrative.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 8:39

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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