Who was Lahad in the Bible?

Lahad was a man from the tribe of Judah, specifically listed as a son of Jahath and a descendant of Judah through his father (1 Chronicles 4:2). He is mentioned only in a genealogical record, with no further details about his life or actions provided in Scripture.

Why is Lahad mentioned in the Bible?

Lahad is mentioned to preserve the genealogical record of the tribe of Judah, establishing a clear lineage. This was crucial for Israel's identity, inheritance rights, and ultimately for tracing the lineage of King David and, later, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-16).

What can we learn from Lahad's brief mention?

Lahad's single-verse mention teaches that every individual, even those without a recorded story, is a vital link in God's larger plan. It highlights the importance of faithfulness within a family line and God's meticulous care in recording His people's history (1 Chronicles 4:2).

Lahad

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Lahad, a descendant of Judah through Jahath (1Ch.4.2).

Lahad

Biography

Lahad is a figure briefly mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah preserved in 1 Chronicles 4:2. He appears as a descendant of Judah through Shobal and Jahath, belonging to the clan of Zorathites. Though his life story is not recounted in any narrative portion of Scripture, his name, possibly meaning "to be languid" or related to a concept of deliberate pace, is preserved within a careful genealogical register. These Chronicles genealogies were compiled with deliberate intent, tracing the lineage of God's covenant people through generations of the Divided Monarchy. Lahad represents one of the countless individuals whose names were considered worth preserving in the sacred record, bearing witness to the fact that God's covenant community was built from real families, clans, and households whose histories stretched across centuries.

Significance

Though Lahad appears only in a genealogical list (1 Chronicles 4:2), his inclusion in the divinely inspired record carries theological weight. The Chronicles genealogies served as a reminder to the post-exilic community that the covenant people of God had deep roots stretching back through generations. Every name preserved in these lists assured Israel that God had not forgotten any member of his covenant family. Lahad's place in Judah's lineage testifies to the faithfulness of God in maintaining his people through ordinary families and unnamed lives. His record reminds readers that significance in God's economy is not measured by fame or narrative prominence, but by belonging to the community of God's people.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:2

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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