Who was Zoheth in the Bible?

Zoheth was a man from the tribe of Judah, listed as a son of Ishi in a genealogical record (1 Chronicles 4:20). He is mentioned only in this lineage, indicating he was part of Judah's family line but not a major narrative figure.

Why is Zoheth mentioned in the Bible?

Zoheeth's mention preserves the historical and genealogical record of the tribe of Judah, from which King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ would descend. His inclusion shows God's faithfulness in tracking His covenant people through every generation.

Are there any stories about Zoheth in the Bible?

No, there are no stories or key events recorded about Zoheth's life. The Bible only notes his name and his father within a list of Judah's descendants in 1 Chronicles 4:20.

Zoheth

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Zoheth was a son of Ishi and a descendant of Judah (1Ch.4.20).

Zoheth

Biography

Zoheth was a son of Ishi, listed among the descendants of Judah in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4:20. The passage reads: "The sons of Ishi: Zoheth and Ben-zoheth." The name Ben-zoheth, meaning "son of Zoheth," may suggest that this second figure was literally Zoheth's own son, recorded in the same breath as his father. Zoheth belongs to the period of the Divided Monarchy according to the contextual framework of the genealogy, though exact historical placement is uncertain. Like many figures in the Chronicler's genealogies of Judah, Zoheth left no narrative account, his legacy is preserved solely through this brief genealogical notation, standing as one representative family line within the broader tribe of Judah.

Significance

Zoheth's solitary mention in 1 Chronicles 4:20 exemplifies the Chronicler's comprehensive approach to preserving the genealogical memory of Judah. While no deeds or words are attributed to Zoheth, his inclusion in sacred Scripture reflects the theological conviction that every lineage within the covenant tribe of Judah matters to God. Judah was the tribe bearing the messianic promise (Genesis 49:10), and the meticulous preservation of its family lines, even those with no attached narrative, testifies to the faithful continuity of God's purposes across generations. Zoheth's name endures as a reminder that the genealogical foundations of redemptive history are built on countless ordinary lives whose significance is known fully only to God.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:20

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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