1 Chronicles 2:34-35
Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, but Sheshan had an Egyptian slave whose name was Jarha. So Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to Jarha his slave, and she bore him Attai.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to skip over this detail, but the fact that Sheshan, a descendant of Judah, had an Egyptian slave highlights how much God's people were interwoven with other cultures, even within their own lineage. This unexpected detail about Jarha, the Egyptian slave who fathered a son with Sheshan's daughter, shows that God's plan of redemption often works through surprising and unconventional lines of ancestry.
This passage is part of a long genealogy tracing the lineage of Israel, from Adam through the descendants of Jacob. It’s detailing the families and significant figures within the tribe of Judah, right up to the time of the monarchy. The mention of Sheshan and his unique situation—having no sons but an Egyptian slave who became part of the lineage—stands out as a significant detail within this otherwise straightforward ancestral record, highlighting how God's purposes can weave through unexpected circumstances.
Genealogies can seem like a dry list of names, but sometimes they hold surprising turns. This verse introduces a twist that challenges our assumptions about lineage and God's unfolding plan.
The Unexpected Thread
We often think of inheritance and legacy passing through sons. But here, in the lineage of Judah, a crucial figure, Sheshan, has no sons, only daughters. This isn't presented as a problem or a failure, but simply a fact.
Then, we meet Jarha, an Egyptian slave. In the ancient Near East, a slave would be at the very bottom of the social ladder. Yet, this slave, through marriage to Sheshan's daughter, becomes part of this significant line. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s purposes don't always follow our expected paths or social hierarchies.
What does it mean for God's blessing to extend beyond our immediate family, our nation, or even our social standing? This verse offers a glimpse.
Breaking Down Walls
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 1 Chronicles 2:34-35 is available in the Sola app.
Sheshan's decision to give his daughter to Jarha, an Egyptian slave, suggests a willingness to break cultural and social barriers. In a world where lineage was paramount, this union was remarkable.
This isn't just a historical note; it points to a profound theological truth. God’s covenant promises and His redemptive plan are not ultimately confined by ethnicity or social status. The inclusion of Jarha, an 'outsider,' into a key lineage preparing the way for Israel's kings (and ultimately, King Jesus) speaks volumes about God's inclusive heart.
Understand the original words
bath · Hebrew Noun
A female descendant; while their status in legal inheritance varied, they were essential members of the clan and frequently involved in marriage alliances that preserved family continuity.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
An individual held in perpetual service to another; in biblical law, this condition could result from debt, poverty, or capture in war, and they were considered part of the household.
nathan le'ishah · Hebrew Verb phrase
The formal social and legal union between a man and a woman; biblically, it is a covenantal commitment often used to establish lineage and legal inheritance.
The mention of an Egyptian slave within the lineage of Judah highlights the complex, long-term interactions between the Israelites and Egyptians, spanning from Joseph's time to the establishment of the monarchy and beyond.
c. 1850 BC
Joseph Brought to Egypt
Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, is brought to Egypt and eventually rises to a position of great power under the Pharaoh.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
Led by Moses, the Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of slavery, marking a pivotal moment in their history and relationship with Egypt.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites enter and begin conquering the Promised Land, establishing a new national identity.
c. 1070 BC
Kingdom United Under Saul
Saul is anointed king, uniting the tribes of Israel and establishing a monarchy that brings greater stability and national cohesion.
c. 1000 BC
David Reigns and Jerusalem Founded
King David conquers Jerusalem and establishes it as the capital of a unified Israel, a significant political and religious center.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple Built
Solomon succeeds David, building the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem and ushering in a golden age, though also increasing foreign influence.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the unified kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to ongoing political tension.
This story of an Egyptian playing a key role in the lineage of a significant Israelite family echoes the unexpected inclusion of an Egyptian slave in the line of David.
Ruth 4:13-17Similar to how Ruth, a Moabite woman, becomes an ancestor of David, this passage shows the integration of a non-Israelite into the Messianic line through unconventional means.
Matthew 1:1-16The genealogy of Jesus includes several surprising individuals, demonstrating God's pattern of working through diverse and unexpected people to fulfill His plans.
Galatians 3:28This verse speaks to the breaking down of barriers in Christ, which aligns with the biblical narrative of inclusion, as seen here with an Egyptian slave becoming part of an important lineage.
It's easy to skip over this detail, but the fact that Sheshan, a descendant of Judah, had an Egyptian slave highlights how much God's people were interwoven with other cultures, even within their own lineage. This unexpected detail about Jarha, the Egyptian slave who fathered a son with Sheshan's daughter, shows that God's plan of redemption often works through surprising and unconventional lines of ancestry.
This passage is part of a long genealogy tracing the lineage of Israel, from Adam through the descendants of Jacob. It’s detailing the families and significant figures within the tribe of Judah, right up to the time of the monarchy. The mention of Sheshan and his unique situation—having no sons but an Egyptian slave who became part of the lineage—stands out as a significant detail within this otherwise straightforward ancestral record, highlighting how God's purposes can weave through unexpected circumstances.
This passage is part of a long genealogy tracing the lineage of Israel, from Adam through the descendants of Jacob. It’s detailing the families and significant figures within the tribe of Judah, right up to the time of the monarchy. The mention of Sheshan and his unique situation—having no sons but an Egyptian slave who became part of the lineage—stands out as a significant detail within this otherwise straightforward ancestral record, highlighting how God's purposes can weave through unexpected circumstances.
"Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, but Sheshan had an Egyptian slave whose name was Jarha. So Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to Jarha his slave, and she bore him Attai." — It's easy to skip over this detail, but the fact that Sheshan, a descendant of Judah, had an Egyptian slave highlights how much God's people were interwoven with other cultures, even within their own…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
