Who was Ozem in the Bible?

Ozem was a son of Jerahmeel and a nephew of the famous spy and warrior Caleb. He is mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:25).

Why is Ozem mentioned in the Bible?

Ozem is listed to preserve the lineage of Judah, showing the family line from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would descend. His mention highlights the importance of faithful family records in Israel's history (1 Chronicles 2:9-55).

What is known about Ozem's life?

The Bible does not record any specific events from Ozem's life. His significance comes solely from his place in the genealogy, identifying him as a member of the Jerahmeelite clan within the tribe of Judah.

Ozem

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon of jerahmeel

Ozem was a son of Jerahmeel and a nephew of Caleb.

Ozem

Biography

Ozem, a son of Jerahmeel by his first wife, appears in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles 2:25. Jerahmeel was the firstborn son of Hezron and grandson of Perez, placing Ozem within one of Judah's most prominent family lines. His brothers included Ram, Bunah, Oren, and Ahijah, while his father also had children by a second wife, Atarah. The Jerahmeelite clan occupied the southern Negev region of Judah's territory, where they maintained a semi-autonomous existence. David interacted with the Jerahmeelites during his fugitive years, sending them portions of war spoil and maintaining friendly relations (1 Samuel 30:29). Ozem's family thus represents a significant branch of Judah that helped secure and settle the southern frontier of Israelite territory during the monarchy.

Significance

As a member of the Jerahmeelite clan, Ozem belongs to one of the oldest and most enduring sub-groups within the tribe of Judah. His genealogical record demonstrates the Chronicler's commitment to documenting every branch of Judah's family tree, reflecting the theological conviction that the covenant community's identity rested on these ancestral connections. The Jerahmeelites' alliance with David during his years as a fugitive shows how clan loyalties within Judah paved the way for David's eventual kingship. Ozem's inclusion in these records affirms that God's providential care extends to every family within His people, preserving their memory as part of the larger tapestry of redemptive history.

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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