Who was Sheshan in the Bible?

Sheshan was a descendant of Judah through the line of Jerahmeel, making him a Jerahmeelite. He is noted in the genealogies for having no sons, only daughters (1 Chronicles 2:31, 34-35).

Why is Sheshan significant in biblical genealogy?

His significance lies in his unique action of giving his daughter in marriage to his Egyptian servant, Jarha, to preserve his family line. This union continued the lineage that would eventually lead to notable figures like David and Jesus (1 Chronicles 2:34-35).

What was the key event in Sheshan's life?

The key event was arranging the marriage of his daughter to his servant Jarha. This ensured the continuation of his family name and inheritance, a culturally significant act recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:34-35.

Sheshan

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleServantDaughter

Sheshan, a Jerahmeelite who gave his daughter in marriage to his Egyptian servant, Jarha.

Sheshan

Biography

Sheshan was a Jerahmeelite, a descendant of Judah through the line of Jerahmeel son of Hezron, detailed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:31–41. A distinctive feature of his household was that he had no sons, only daughters. To preserve his lineage and provide for succession, Sheshan took the unusual step of giving his daughter in marriage to Jarha, his Egyptian servant. This cross-cultural union, remarkable for its departure from standard Israelite practice of endogamy, produced a son named Attai, from whom a long genealogical line descended, extending through eleven further generations as recorded in Chronicles. Sheshan's creative solution to a genealogical crisis ensured the continuation of his family name within the tribe of Judah.

Significance

Sheshan's decision to give his daughter to an Egyptian servant carries significant theological and sociological implications. It demonstrates that within Israel's covenant community, faithfulness to God's purposes of preserving family and lineage could transcend conventional ethnic and social boundaries. The inclusion of Jarha, a foreign servant, within the sacred genealogies of Judah anticipates the broader biblical theme that God's redemptive purposes embrace those outside Israel's ethnic borders. Sheshan's story also reflects the deep value placed on covenant continuity in ancient Israel, where the preservation of family lines was understood as participation in God's ongoing promises to the patriarchs. His lineage ultimately traces into the royal tribe of Judah, connecting to the Messianic thread of Scripture.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherIshiChildAhlai

Verse Appearances (3)

1Chr

1Chr 2:31 1Chr 2:34 1Chr 2:35

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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