Who was Sheariah in the Bible?

Sheariah was a descendant of Benjamin, specifically listed as a son of Azel. He appears only in the genealogical records found in 1 Chronicles 8:38 and 9:44, which trace the lineage of King Saul's family.

Why is Sheariah mentioned in the Bible?

Sheariah is included to preserve the detailed genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin. His mention helps establish the familial line from which King Saul, Israel's first king, descended, emphasizing the importance of tribal and family records in Israel's history (1 Chronicles 9:39-44).

What is significant about Sheariah's life?

No specific events from Sheariah's life are recorded. His significance lies solely in his inclusion in a sacred genealogy, which confirms his place within the tribe of Benjamin and connects him to the broader narrative of God's chosen people.

Sheariah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Sheariah was a Benjamite, the son of Azel, and is mentioned in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles.

Sheariah

Biography

Sheariah was a Benjamite, listed among the sons of Azel in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 8:38 and its parallel in 1 Chronicles 9:44. Azel was a descendant of King Saul through Jonathan, making Sheariah part of the royal Saulide lineage that persisted into the Divided Monarchy period. His name, possibly meaning "Yahweh has regarded" or "gate of Yahweh," appears alongside five brothers: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Obadiah, and Hanan. The Chronicler's preservation of this lineage reflects the ongoing importance of Saul's genealogy within the tribe of Benjamin even after the Davidic dynasty had displaced the Saulide house. Sheariah's family represents the continuation of a prominent Benjamite clan through the turbulent centuries of the monarchy.

Significance

Sheariah's genealogical position as a descendant of Saul through Jonathan (1 Chronicles 8:38; 9:44) reflects the Chronicler's theological commitment to preserving the full tapestry of Israel's tribal and dynastic history. Though the Davidic line superseded the Saulide dynasty, the Chronicler does not erase the house of Saul but carefully traces its continuation. This approach affirms that God's covenantal dealings with individuals and families are not nullified by political displacement. Sheariah's inclusion also implicitly honors Jonathan's covenant with David (1 Samuel 18:3), suggesting that God's faithfulness extends to all the legitimate lines of Israel's story, not only to those who occupy the center of redemptive-historical prominence.

Verse Appearances (2)

1Chr

1Chr 8:38 1Chr 9:44

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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