Zabad
Zabad was a descendant of Judah through the line of Jerahmeel.
Biography
Zabad son of Nathan appears in the Jerahmeelite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 2:36-37, where he is listed as a descendant of the tribe of Judah through the line of Jerahmeel. His father Nathan was the son of Attai, and Zabad in turn fathered Ephlal, continuing the genealogical chain. The line of Jerahmeel is notable for its connection to Sheshan, who had no sons and gave his daughter in marriage to an Egyptian servant named Jarha, a remarkable act of inclusion that introduced a non-Israelite into the Judahite lineage (1 Chronicles 2:34-35). Zabad's position in this genealogy reflects his membership in one of Judah's extended family networks, though no specific events in his life are recorded beyond his place in the family tree.
Significance
Zabad's genealogical placement in the Jerahmeelite line (1 Chronicles 2:36-37) is significant for what it reveals about the inclusive nature of Israelite tribal genealogies. His ancestry traces back through a lineage that incorporated a foreign Egyptian into the tribe of Judah, illustrating that belonging to God's covenant community was not solely determined by ethnic purity. This genealogical breadth foreshadows the New Testament expansion of God's people to include all nations. Zabad's name in the record, however modest, affirms that God preserves the memory of his covenant people across generations, linking individual lives to the larger story of Israel's heritage.
Verse Appearances (2)
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]