Sheresh
Sheresh, a son of Machir and Maacah, mentioned in the genealogy of Manasseh.
Biography
Sheresh was a son of Machir and his wife Maacah, and a grandson of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. He appears in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 7:16, which traces the tribal lineage of Manasseh during the period of Israel's sojourn in Egypt and the wilderness. His name, derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'root' or 'shoot,' suggests a foundation or branch within his family tree. Though Scripture provides little biographical detail about Sheresh himself, his inclusion in the genealogy signals his place within the broader tribal structure of Manasseh, one of the two half-tribes descended from Joseph that would eventually inherit portions of Canaan on both sides of the Jordan River.
Significance
Though Sheresh appears only in a genealogical register, his inclusion in the sacred record of Manasseh's descendants carries theological weight. The biblical genealogies are not mere historical lists but declarations of God's faithfulness to preserve covenant families across generations. Sheresh represents the continuity of Joseph's legacy, a lineage that survived Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering to become a tribal inheritance in the Promised Land. His name, evoking roots and growth, subtly points to the enduring nature of God's covenant promises, which extend through obscure family lines as surely as through celebrated patriarchs, reminding readers that every member of the covenant community matters in the unfolding of divine purpose.
Verse Appearances (1)
1 Chronicles
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]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]