Alvan עַלְיָן, עַלְוָן
Horite chief, descendant of Seir
Who is Alvan in the Bible?
Alvan was a Horite chief and descendant of Seir mentioned in 1 Chronicles 1:40 as one of the sons of Shobal. The Horites were the original inhabitants of the mountainous region of Seir, which later became known as Edom, before Esau's descendants settled there. While Alvan appears in the biblical genealogies documenting the pre-Edomite peoples, no additional details about his life or specific accomplishments are provided in Scripture. His inclusion in these genealogical records serves to establish the historical context of the land's original inhabitants and their relationship to the later Edomite civilization.
Biography
Alvan is mentioned in the genealogies of the Horites, the original inhabitants of the land of Seir, which later became known as Edom. He is listed as one of the sons of Shobal, who was a descendant of Seir the Horite. (1Ch.1.40; Gen.36.23)
The Horites were the people who lived in the mountainous region of Seir before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites, settled there. The genealogy in Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1 provides a record of the Horite clans and their chiefs.
Apart from being listed as a Horite chief, no further details are provided about Alvan's life, his role within the clan, or any significant events associated with him.
The mention of Alvan in the genealogies serves to document the pre-Edomite inhabitants of Seir and to provide a historical context for the later Edomite settlement in the region. It also highlights the diverse peoples and cultures that inhabited the lands surrounding Israel in the patriarchal period.
Family
Siblings
- Manahath EdomSon of ShobalSon of Shobal, a Horite.View full profile →
- Ebal EdomSon of ShobalSon of Shobal and descendant of Seir the HoriteView full profile →
- Shepho EdomSon of ShobalHorite chief, son of ShobalView full profile →
- Onam Tribe of JudahSon of JerahmeelDescendant of Judah, son of JerahmeelView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study content1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:40
"The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah."
Genesis 1 verse
- Genesis 36:23
"These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam."
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עַלְיָן, עַלְוָן |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | עַלְיָן, עַלְוָן |