Who was Zichri in the Bible?

Zichri was a Benjamite, specifically a son of Jeroham and a descendant of Shaharaim, as recorded in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:23). He is mentioned only in this lineage, indicating his place within the family line of Israel's tribes.

What is the significance of Zichri in the Bible?

Zichri's significance lies primarily in his inclusion in the detailed genealogical records of 1 Chronicles, which were crucial for establishing lineage, tribal inheritance, and identity for the Israelites returning from exile. His mention helps preserve the historical record of the tribe of Benjamin.

Are there any key events in Zichri's life in the Bible?

The Bible does not record any specific events or actions from Zichri's life. His mention is solely genealogical, listing him as a son and a descendant within a family line (1 Chronicles 8:23).

Zichri

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Zichri was a son of Jeroham, a Benjamite, and a descendant of Shaharaim (1Ch.8.23).

Zichri

Biography

Zichri, son of Jeroham, was a Benjamite of the line of Shaharaim, listed in the genealogical register of 1 Chronicles 8:23 among the heads of ancestral houses in Benjamin. He belongs to a section of the Benjamite genealogy that enumerates the families of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem, reflecting the postexilic community's claim to ancestral connections with the holy city. The names in this portion of the Benjamite register are likely preserved from tribal archives and served to legitimize the family's standing within the restored community. Jeroham, Zichri's father, appears to have fathered multiple sons listed in these genealogies, though each is individually named, suggesting they were heads of distinct family units within the larger Benjamite clan structure.

Significance

The Benjamite genealogies of 1 Chronicles 8 function as a claim to identity and belonging for families asserting their place within the covenant community, particularly significant in the postexilic period when questions of legitimate membership were pressing. Zichri's inclusion in this list, alongside his brothers, affirms the Chronicler's theological conviction that God's faithfulness to the tribes of Israel endured through exile and return. The detailed preservation of these Benjamite lineages also reflects the importance of Benjamin as the tribe that, together with Judah, formed the nucleus of the restored community. Each named ancestor, including Zichri, represents a family lineage that considered itself heirs to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenant promises.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 8:23

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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