Ara
Ara was a descendant of Asher, mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Asher.
Biography
Ara appears in the genealogical records of the tribe of Asher, listed among the sons of Jether in 1 Chronicles 7:38. He belongs to the period of the Divided Monarchy, though his personal story is not narrated beyond his place in the tribal lineage. As a member of the tribe of Asher, one of the northern tribes allotted territory in Canaan's fertile coastal region, Ara's name was preserved as part of the careful genealogical accounting that maintained tribal identity and land inheritance rights in ancient Israel. His inclusion in the Chronicles genealogies reflects the Chronicler's intent to document the full breadth of Israel's tribal heritage, affirming continuity from the patriarchs through later generations.
Significance
Though Ara receives no individual narrative, his presence in Asher's genealogy (1 Chronicles 7:38) illustrates a foundational principle of biblical theology: every member of God's covenant community matters. The meticulous genealogical records of Chronicles serve a theological purpose, demonstrating that God's covenant faithfulness extends through every generation and family line. Ara's inclusion reminds readers that the scope of divine providence is not limited to celebrated heroes but encompasses the entire people of God. These records also supported the post-exilic community's need to verify tribal membership and land claims, showing how genealogy served both historical and redemptive functions in Israel's life.
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]