Who was Maon in the Bible?

Maon was a man from the tribe of Judah, identified as a son of Shammai and a descendant of Caleb, the faithful spy (1 Chronicles 2:45). His lineage connects him to a prominent and faithful family within Israel.

Why is Maon mentioned in the Bible?

Maon is mentioned solely to establish genealogy, showing the continuation of Caleb's line through his son Shammai. This highlights the importance of family heritage and God's faithfulness to the descendants of faithful followers like Caleb.

Are there any stories or key events about Maon?

No, the Bible records no specific events or stories about Maon's life. His significance is entirely genealogical, serving as a link in the recorded lineage of Judah and Caleb in 1 Chronicles chapter 2.

Maon

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Maon, a son of Shammai, was a descendant of Caleb (1Ch.2.45,45).

Maon

Biography

Maon was a descendant of the tribe of Judah through the line of Caleb, identified in 1 Chronicles 2:45 as the son of Shammai. The Chronicler's genealogy traces Caleb's descendants through multiple branches, and Maon's line represents one of these familial offshoots that contributed to the settlement and development of Judah's territorial inheritance. Maon is also noted as the father of Beth-zur (1 Chr. 2:45), which likely indicates that he founded or was the ancestral patron of the town of Beth-zur, an important fortified city in the hill country of Judah. This pattern of personal names merging with place names was common in ancient Israel, reflecting the deep connection between clan identity and territorial possession in the tribal land distribution.

Significance

Maon's mention in the Calebite genealogy underscores the importance of faithful lineages in establishing and maintaining Israel's territorial inheritance. The Calebites were known for their courage and faithfulness, beginning with Caleb's wholehearted devotion to God during the wilderness period. Maon's association with Beth-zur, which later became a significant military outpost in Judah's defense (2 Chr. 11:7; Neh. 3:16), suggests that his family's settlement had lasting strategic importance. His record illustrates how individual obedience and family faithfulness contributed to the broader infrastructure of the Promised Land. Even genealogical entries like Maon's remind readers that God builds His kingdom through generations of quiet, faithful stewardship.

Authority Records

Wikidata

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:45

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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