Who was Oren in the Bible?

Oren was a son of Jerahmeel and a descendant of Judah, mentioned in the genealogy of Judah's clan (1 Chronicles 2:25). He is a relatively minor biblical figure, listed among the sons of Jerahmeel.

Why is Oren mentioned in the Bible?

Oren is mentioned to establish the detailed lineage of the tribe of Judah, showing the fulfillment of God's promise to make Judah a great tribe (Genesis 49:8-10). His inclusion helps trace the family lines important for Israel's history and inheritance.

Are there any stories about Oren in the Bible?

No, there are no specific stories or key events recorded about Oren's life. The Bible only lists his name in the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 2:25, identifying his family relationship.

Oren

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon

Oren was a son of Jerahmeel, a descendant of Judah.

Oren

Biography

Oren was a son of Jerahmeel, who was the firstborn of Hezron in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:25. His brothers included Ahijah, Bunah, and Ram, forming part of an important clan within Judah's tribal structure. The Jerahmeelite family occupied territory in the southern reaches of Judah, in the arid Negev region, where they maintained a distinct identity throughout the monarchic period. David had diplomatic relations with the Jerahmeelites during his years as a fugitive from Saul (1 Samuel 27:10; 30:29), indicating their significance as a recognized sub-group within the broader tribe. Oren's placement in this genealogy marks him as an ancestor of one of the Jerahmeelite sub-clans that helped populate and defend the southern borders of Judah's territory during the era of the united monarchy.

Significance

Oren's role as a son of Jerahmeel places him within one of Judah's most important extended families, a clan that maintained its identity from the patriarchal period through the monarchy. The Jerahmeelites represent the faithful continuity of tribal organization that undergirded Israel's social fabric. Though Oren himself appears only in genealogical records, his family's later interactions with David highlight how these clan structures facilitated the rise of Israel's greatest king. The Chronicler's careful preservation of names like Oren demonstrates the theological conviction that every family within God's covenant people has value and purpose in the unfolding of salvation history.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherJerahmeel

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:25

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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