Who was Sharar in the Bible?

Sharar, also called Sachar, was the father of Ahiam. Ahiam was one of King David's mighty men, renowned for his bravery and military skill (2 Samuel 23:33; 1 Chronicles 11:35).

Why is Sharar mentioned in the Bible?

Sharar is mentioned solely to identify his son, Ahiam, within the list of David's elite warriors. His significance comes from his son's loyalty and service to King David during his military campaigns.

What is the difference between Sharar and Sachar?

There is no difference; they are the same person. The name appears as 'Sharar' in 2 Samuel 23:33 and as 'Sachar' in 1 Chronicles 11:35, likely due to variations in spelling or translation from the original Hebrew.

Sharar

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleFather

Sharar (or Sachar) was the father of Ahiam, who was one of David's mighty men known for his bravery and military prowess.

Sharar

Biography

Sharar the Hararite was the father of Ahiam, one of the celebrated warriors in David's elite corps known as the Thirty (2 Samuel 23:33). The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 11:35 records the name as Sachar, suggesting either a textual variant or a dual name. The Hararite designation likely indicates geographic origin in the hill country of Judah or the broader central highlands. Sharar himself performed no recorded deeds, but his son Ahiam's inclusion among David's mighty men implies that Sharar raised a son capable of extraordinary military valor. The Thirty were distinguished warriors whose exploits during David's rise to power helped establish the Davidic kingdom against formidable enemies.

Significance

Sharar's legacy is inseparable from that of his son Ahiam, whose service among David's Thirty (2 Samuel 23:33; 1 Chronicles 11:35) contributed to the consolidation of the Davidic kingdom. The mighty men of David represent a theologically significant theme: God's purposes are often accomplished through communities of committed, courageous individuals who surround and support divinely appointed leaders. Sharar, though unnamed in narrative action, is honored by Scripture's inclusion of his name alongside the greatest warriors of Israel's golden age. This reflects the biblical conviction that faithful fathers who raise sons of valor participate indirectly in the grand sweep of God's redemptive history.

Verse Appearances (2)

2Sam

2Sam 23:33

1Chr

1Chr 11:35

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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