Who was Peleth in the Bible?

Peleth was a man from the tribe of Judah, specifically recorded as a son of Jonathan and a descendant of Jerahmeel. He appears only in a genealogical list within the lineage of Judah's family (1 Chronicles 2:33).

Why is Peleth mentioned in the Bible?

Peleth is mentioned to preserve the historical and genealogical record of the tribe of Judah, from which King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ would descend. His inclusion helps establish the continuity of the Messianic line as promised in scripture.

Are there any stories about Peleth in the Bible?

No, there are no stories or key events recorded about Peleth's life. The Bible only notes his name and his place within the family tree of Judah in 1 Chronicles 2:33, with no further narrative details provided.

Peleth

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Peleth, a son of Jonathan and descendant of Jerahmeel, mentioned in the genealogy of Judah.

Peleth

Biography

Peleth was a son of Jonathan and a descendant of Jerahmeel, listed in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles 2:33. His lineage traces back through Jerahmeel, the firstborn son of Hezron, connecting him to one of the major clans within Judah. The Jerahmeelite family occupied territories in the southern Negev region, as evidenced by David's diplomatic interactions with them during his time in the wilderness (1 Samuel 27:10; 30:29). While no narrative account of Peleth's personal deeds survives, his placement in the genealogy indicates his family's recognized status within the tribal structure of Judah. The Chronicler preserved these records to establish continuity between pre-exilic Israel and the restored post-exilic community.

Significance

Peleth's listing within Judah's genealogy, though brief, participates in the Chronicler's larger theological project of demonstrating God's faithfulness across generations. The Jerahmeelite clan to which Peleth belonged represented one strand of Judah's tribal tapestry, and their careful documentation assured the post-exilic community that their ancestral heritage remained intact despite the disruption of exile. Each name in these genealogies served as evidence that God's covenant promises endured through every historical upheaval. Peleth reminds modern readers that significance in God's story is not measured by prominence but by presence within the ongoing narrative of His faithful preservation of His people.

Authority Records

Wikidata

ChildOn

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:33

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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