Who was Nathan, son of Attai, in the Bible?

Nathan, son of Attai, was a descendant of Judah mentioned in the Old Testament genealogies. He is listed as part of the lineage of King David's family, specifically through his son Solomon (1 Chronicles 3:5, 1 Chronicles 2:36).

What is the significance of Nathan, son of Attai, in the Bible?

His primary significance is genealogical, as he helps trace the royal line of Judah and the ancestry of King David. This lineage is crucial as it connects to the messianic promises given to David's house (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

What key events was Nathan, son of Attai, involved in?

The Bible does not record any specific events in his life. His mention is solely within the genealogical lists, establishing his place in the family tree of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:36, 1 Chronicles 3:5).

Nathan

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Nathan, the son of Attai, is mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah.

Nathan

Biography

Nathan, the son of Attai, appears in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah as preserved in 1 Chronicles 2:36. He belongs to the line of Jerahmeel, a descendant of Judah through Perez and Hezron. Nathan was the father of Zabad, and his lineage continues through several more generations in the Chronicler's record. The Jerahmeelite clan occupied territory in the southern Negev region and maintained distinct tribal identity within the broader tribe of Judah. Nathan's genealogical placement situates him within the network of Judahite families that formed the social and territorial backbone of the southern kingdom. While no narrative events are associated with Nathan personally, his careful inclusion in the tribal records reflects the Chronicler's concern with preserving the complete family heritage of Judah.

Significance

Nathan's appearance in the Jerahmeelite genealogy serves the Chronicler's larger theological purpose of documenting the comprehensive family structure of Israel, particularly the tribe of Judah from which the Davidic dynasty arose. These genealogical records were vital for establishing tribal identity, land inheritance rights, and communal belonging, especially after the disruption of the Babylonian exile. Nathan represents the faithful transmission of family heritage across generations, a practice that sustained Israel's identity as God's covenant people. The meticulous preservation of names like Nathan's in Chronicles affirms that every member of God's people has a place within the larger story, and that communal memory is essential to maintaining covenantal faithfulness.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:36

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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