Zethan
Zethan was a son of Bilhan and a descendant of Benjamin (1Ch.7.10).
Biography
Zethan was a son of Bilhan and a grandson of Jediael, belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, as recorded in the genealogical register of 1 Chronicles 7:10. He is listed among the heads of families within the Benjamite clans, identified as a valiant warrior and head of a household. Bilhan's sons, including Zethan, are presented as men of fighting ability, reflecting the military character long associated with the tribe of Benjamin, the tribe that produced Israel's first king, Saul, and later the apostle Paul. Beyond this genealogical mention, Zethan leaves no further narrative footprint in Scripture. His name likely preserves a record of family identity important to Israelite tribal organization during the period of the monarchy.
Significance
Zethan's brief appearance in the Benjamite genealogy of 1 Chronicles serves as a reminder of the Bible's comprehensive concern for all members of the covenant community, not only the famous. The genealogical lists in Chronicles were not merely historical records but theological statements, affirming that Israel's identity as God's people was constituted by specific families and lineages. Every name listed was part of the community through whom God preserved his redemptive purposes. Zethan, though obscure, represents the countless ordinary Israelites whose faithful participation in tribal and communal life sustained the fabric of the covenant people across generations, and through whom the story of salvation continued to unfold.
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]