Who was Shuhah in the Bible?

Shuhah was a man from the tribe of Judah, mentioned as the brother of Chelub. He is listed in the genealogy of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:11.

Why is Shuhah mentioned in the Bible?

Shuhah is included to preserve the genealogical record of the tribe of Judah, which was crucial for establishing lineage, land rights, and the ancestry of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3). His mention shows God's faithfulness in recording His people.

Are there any stories about Shuhah in the Bible?

No, the Bible does not record any specific events or stories from Shuhah's life. His sole appearance is as a name in the genealogical list found in 1 Chronicles 4:11.

Shuhah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleBrother

Shuhah was the brother of Chelub and a descendant of Judah.

Shuhah

Biography

Shuhah was a descendant of the tribe of Judah, specifically identified in 1 Chronicles 4:11 as the brother of Chelub. The genealogical context places him within the clan records of Judah in Chronicles, a complex section tracing diverse lineages descended from Judah through various lines. His father is given as Mehir, and he appears alongside other Judahite clan names in a portion of the genealogy that preserves fragmentary records of families that settled specific territories within the tribal allotment of Judah. The name Shuhah is related to the Hebrew root meaning "pit" or "depression," though the personal significance of the name is not elaborated. No further narrative material is associated with Shuhah beyond this genealogical reference.

Significance

Shuhah represents the broader category of individuals preserved in the Chronicler's genealogies whose primary contribution is the maintenance of tribal and clan continuity within Judah. The Chronicles genealogies served a vital function for the post-exilic community, establishing land claims, priestly lineages, and communal identity after the disruptions of the Babylonian exile. Every named ancestor in these lists contributed to the chain of identity connecting the restored community to its pre-exilic roots. Shuhah's fraternal relationship with Chelub within a recognized Judahite clan affirms that God's covenant faithfulness extended to all the families of Judah, sustaining a people whose lineage would ultimately culminate in the Davidic line and the promises of messianic redemption.

Authority Records

Wikidata

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:11

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]

View all sources & licensing →

See our editorial standards →

Content compiled from public domain scholarship, academic sources, and verified references. Editorial standards · View all sources