Who was Sheva in the Bible?

Sheva was a son of Caleb, born to his concubine Maacah. He is listed in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah as one of Caleb's descendants (1 Chronicles 2:49).

Why is Sheva mentioned in the Bible?

Sheva's mention establishes a lineage within the tribe of Judah, showing the fulfillment of God's promise to make Judah a powerful tribe. His inclusion highlights the importance of genealogical records in the Old Testament for tracing family heritage and land inheritance.

What is significant about Sheva being the son of a concubine?

In biblical genealogies, listing sons of concubines alongside primary wives shows that all descendants were part of the covenant family. It demonstrates that God's promises and inheritance often extended through various family lines, not just the primary one.

Sheva

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon

Sheva, a son of Caleb's concubine Maacah, mentioned in the genealogy of Judah.

Sheva

Biography

Sheva appears in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:49 as a son of Caleb by his concubine Maacah, placed within the extended tribal genealogy of Judah. His name is associated with the founding of Machbenah and Gibea, suggesting that 'Sheva' may function as an eponymous ancestor, a person whose name is linked to a settlement or geographic region within Judah's territory. The genealogical context places Sheva among Caleb's descendants who occupied and named portions of the Judahite landscape. The name Sheva itself is variously rendered across manuscripts, reflecting the complexity of textual transmission in the Chronicler's genealogical sources.

Significance

Sheva's mention, while brief, contributes to the Chronicler's comprehensive portrait of Judah's tribal settlement in Canaan. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles serve not merely as historical records but as theological declarations: they affirm that God's promise of land to Abraham's descendants was fulfilled through specific families and individuals, each occupying named towns and regions. Sheva, as an ancestor connected to actual Judahite settlements, represents the concrete, geographical dimension of covenant fulfillment. His place in Caleb's lineage further ties him to one of Scripture's great exemplars of faith, a heritage that underscores how faithfulness in one generation produces lasting fruit in the settlements and communities of subsequent generations.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 2:49

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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