Gazez
Two Men Named Gazez
The name Gazez appears twice in a single verse — 1 Chronicles 2:46 — referring to two different individuals within the genealogy of the tribe of Judah. The first Gazez was a son of Ephah, who was a concubine of Caleb. The second Gazez was a son of Haran, who was himself another son of Ephah. This makes the two men uncle and nephew, both bearing the same name within the same extended family.
The Meaning of the Name
The Hebrew name Gazez means 'shearer,' derived from the verb 'gazaz,' which means 'to shear' or 'to cut.' This name connects to one of the fundamental occupations of ancient Israelite life — sheep shearing. Sheep shearing was not only an economic activity but also a social occasion, often celebrated with feasts and gatherings (Genesis 38:12; 2 Samuel 13:23-24). A name meaning 'shearer' likely reflected the family's connection to pastoral life and the sheep-herding culture that was central to Judah's economy.
The Calebite Genealogy
Gazez's family belongs to the Calebite branch of the tribe of Judah. Caleb is one of the most celebrated figures in the Old Testament — the faithful spy who, along with Joshua, believed God's promise to give Israel the land of Canaan when the other ten spies counseled fear (Numbers 14:6-9). Caleb received Hebron as his inheritance (Joshua 14:13-14), and his descendants became a significant clan within Judah. The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 2 traces these family lines in detail, showing how Caleb's household grew through multiple wives and concubines into an extensive network of families and settlements.
Concubines and Family Structure
The mention of Ephah as Caleb's concubine reflects the complex family structures of the patriarchal period. Concubines held a recognized legal status in ancient Israelite society, though their position was secondary to that of a full wife. Children born to concubines were legitimate members of the family and could inherit property and positions. The genealogical records in 1 Chronicles carefully preserve these family connections, indicating that every branch of the family tree was considered important for maintaining tribal identity and land rights.
The Value of Genealogical Preservation
While Gazez receives no narrative attention in Scripture, his inclusion in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles serves important purposes. These records established legal claims to territory, determined eligibility for tribal leadership, and maintained the community's historical memory. For the post-exilic community that compiled Chronicles, these genealogies were vital for reconstructing the social order of restored Israel. Every name, including Gazez, represented a family with a stake in God's covenant promises.
Biblical Context
Both individuals named Gazez appear only in 1 Chronicles 2:46, within the Calebite genealogy of the tribe of Judah. The passage traces descendants of Caleb through his concubine Ephah, listing Gazez as a son of Ephah and another Gazez as a son of Haran (who was also Ephah's son).
Theological Significance
Gazez's place in Caleb's genealogy connects him to the legacy of one of Israel's greatest examples of faith. Though Gazez himself receives no narrative description, his inclusion in the family line of Caleb — the man who fully followed the Lord (Numbers 14:24) — reminds readers that faithful legacies extend through generations of descendants, each one part of God's ongoing purposes.
Historical Background
The Calebite clan settled primarily in the Hebron region of southern Judah, an area known for pastoral agriculture including sheep herding. Archaeological surveys of the Hebron highlands have documented extensive Iron Age settlement activity consistent with the biblical description of Calebite occupation. Sheep shearing, reflected in Gazez's name, was a major economic activity in this region throughout antiquity.