Who was Maaz in the Bible?

Maaz was a man from the tribe of Judah, listed as a son of Ram and a grandson of Jerahmeel (1 Chronicles 2:27). He is only mentioned in a genealogical record, with no narrative about his life or deeds.

Why is Maaz mentioned in the Bible?

Maaz is mentioned to preserve the genealogical line of Judah, which was crucial for establishing tribal heritage and the lineage leading to King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. His inclusion shows God's faithfulness in recording His people's history (1 Chronicles 2:3-55).

What can we learn from Maaz's brief mention?

Maaz teaches that every person in God's family has significance, even if their story isn't fully told. His name is recorded in Scripture, affirming that God values and remembers all His people as part of His redemptive plan.

Maaz

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Maaz was a son of Ram, a descendant of Judah (1Ch.2.27).

Maaz

Biography

Maaz was the firstborn son of Ram, who was himself a descendant of Jerahmeel from the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:27). The Jerahmeelite genealogy in which Maaz appears is part of the extensive tribal records preserved in the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles, documenting the families of Judah in meticulous detail. Ram, Maaz's father, should be distinguished from the Ram who appears in the direct messianic line through Jesse and David. Maaz's branch represents a collateral line within the broader Judahite family, and while no narrative events are associated with him, his inclusion in the genealogical register reflects the Chronicler's concern to document the full extent of Judah's tribal heritage and territorial claims in the Promised Land.

Significance

Maaz's appearance in the Chronicler's genealogy of Judah underscores the meticulous care with which Israel preserved its family records, a practice rooted in the theological conviction that tribal identity and land inheritance were gifts from God. The Jerahmeelite branch of Judah represented an important segment of the tribe, and cataloguing its members affirmed their legitimate place within the covenant community. Maaz's inclusion reminds readers that the biblical narrative values completeness in recording God's people, recognizing that even those without prominent stories contribute to the fabric of Israel's identity as God's chosen nation.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherRamSiblingJaminSiblingEker

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:27

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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