Jotham
Jotham was a son of Jahdai, who was a wife of Caleb.
Biography
This Jotham was a son born to Jahdai, a concubine or secondary wife associated with Caleb of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:47). He is listed among six sons, Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph, in a genealogical register that traces the lineage of the tribe of Judah in the post-settlement period. Beyond this single genealogical reference, Scripture records nothing of Jotham's personal history, deeds, or descendants. His inclusion in the Chronicles genealogy reflects the careful record-keeping of tribal lineages that was essential to Israelite identity, land tenure, and covenant continuity during the period of the Divided Monarchy.
Significance
Though Jotham son of Jahdai leaves virtually no biographical footprint, his presence in Judah's tribal genealogy carries the quiet weight of covenant fidelity. The tribe of Judah's careful genealogical records in 1 Chronicles reflect the theological conviction that God's promises to Abraham and David were mediated through real human families. Every name in these lists affirms that divine election worked through particular bloodlines and communities. This Jotham's anonymity is itself instructive: God's purposes are sustained not only by celebrated heroes but by ordinary members of the covenant community who lived, worked, and raised families in faithfulness to their tribal and spiritual inheritance.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Chr
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]