Ashhur
Ashhur, a descendant of Judah through Hezron, was the father (ie founder) of Tekoa (1 Chr 2:24; 4:5).
Biography
Ashhur was a man of the tribe of Judah whose lineage traces through Hezron, a son of Perez and grandson of Judah himself. According to 1 Chronicles 2:24, he was born posthumously to Hezron's wife Abijah after Hezron's death at Caleb-ephrathah. The genealogical record in 1 Chronicles 4:5 further identifies him as having two wives, Helah and Naarah, who bore him several sons. His name is tied to Tekoa, a town in the hill country of Judah later famous as the home of the prophet Amos. As the "father" of Tekoa, Ashhur likely served as the founding patriarch or chief settler of this community, establishing a family legacy within the Judahite heartland during the era of Israel's sojourn in Egypt.
Significance
Ashhur's role as the founder of Tekoa carries quiet but meaningful significance. Tekoa became a town of prophetic importance, most notably, Amos came from Tekoa (Amos 1:1), and a wise woman of Tekoa was used by Joab to counsel King David (2 Sam 14:2). Though Ashhur himself receives only brief mention in the Chronicler's genealogies, his establishment of this community planted seeds for future prophetic ministry. His story also illustrates the Chronicler's theological emphasis on continuity: even during Israel's bondage in Egypt, God was preserving Judah's lineage and extending its presence into the promised land, sustaining the line through which Israel's kings, and ultimately the Messiah, would come.
Verse Appearances (2)
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]