Bithiah בִּתְיָה
Daughter of Pharaoh who married Mered of Judah
Who is Bithiah in the Bible?
Bithiah was a daughter of Pharaoh who married Mered, a man from the tribe of Judah, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:18. Her inclusion in the genealogy of Judah indicates that this was a significant and noteworthy union, suggesting that Mered held a prominent position or had special connections with Egypt. Such marriages between Israelites and Egyptians were rare in biblical times and likely occurred during a period of peace and favorable relations between the two nations. The name Bithiah possibly means "daughter of Yahweh" and may indicate that she had converted to the worship of the God of Israel, distinguishing her from other foreign women in Israelite genealogies. Her presence in the lineage of Judah demonstrates the complex social and cultural interactions between the Israelites and their Egyptian neighbors during the biblical period.
Biography
Bithiah was a daughter of Pharaoh who married Mered, a man from the tribe of Judah (1 Ch. 4:18). This marriage is mentioned in the genealogy of Judah, indicating that it was a significant event. The fact that Mered married a daughter of Pharaoh suggests that he may have held a prominent position or had a special connection with Egypt. Such marriages between Israelites and Egyptians were rare, and this union may have taken place during a time of peace and good relations between the two nations. Bithiah's inclusion in the genealogy also highlights the presence of foreign women in the lineage of Judah, demonstrating the complex social and cultural interactions of the Israelites with their neighbors.
Family
Partners
Offspring
- Miriam Tribe of Judah(?)Sister of ShammaiA descendant of Judah, mentioned in a genealogy.View full profile →
- Shammai Tribe of JudahSon of OnamSon of Onam; father of Nadab and AbishurView full profile →
- Ishbah Tribe of Judah(?)Son of MeredSon of Mered in the genealogy of JudahView full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 4:18
"These were the children of Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah. Mered also took a Judean wife, who gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בִּתְיָה |
Bithiah
Egyptian king, or whether it was in this case a Hebrew name, it is difficult to say. The name Bithiah seems to designate one who had become converted to the worship of Yahweh, and this would favor the first supposition. If, as the Revised Version (British and American) reads, the other wife of Mered is distinguished as "the Jewess" (instead of the King James Version "Jehudijah"), this supposition would receive further support.
Frank E. Hirsch
bith'-ron (ha-bithron; holen ten parateinousan, literally "the entire (land) extending"; 2Sa 2:29, "the Bithron," i.e. the gorge or groove): Does not seem to be a proper name; rath