Jahath יַ֫חַת
Levite, descendant of Shimei, son of Gershon.
Who is Jahath in the Bible?
Jahath was a Levite mentioned in 1 Chronicles 23:10-11 as the son of Shimei and grandson of Gershon, one of the three main divisions of the Levites. He lived during the reign of King David and was part of the organizational restructuring of the Levites for temple service. Although Shimei had four sons including Jahath, they were counted as a single family unit because their household was smaller than other Levite families. Jahath's inclusion in this genealogy reflects the careful organization of the Levites, who were set apart among Israel's twelve tribes for religious duties and the service of God's tabernacle and temple.
Biography
Jahath is mentioned in 1Ch.23.10-11 as a Levite, a descendant of Shimei, and a grandson of Gershon. This passage is part of a larger section that describes the organization of the Levites during the reign of King David.
The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, set apart for religious duties and the service of the tabernacle and later the temple. Gershon was one of the three main divisions of the Levites, along with Kohath and Merari (1Ch.23.6).
In this context, Jahath is listed as one of the sons of Shimei, who was a son of Laadan, a descendant of Gershon (1Ch.23.7-9). The text notes that Shimei had four sons, including Jahath, but that they were considered as one family because they had fewer sons compared to other Levite families (1Ch.23.11).
No other specific details are provided about Jahath's life, role, or responsibilities as a Levite. His inclusion in this genealogical record, however, highlights the importance of the Levitical lineage and the organization of the Levites for their service in the temple during the time of David.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 23:10
"And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These were the sons of Shimei—four in all."
- 1 Chronicles 23:11
"Jahath was the first and Zizah was the second; but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they were counted as one family and received a single assignment."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יַ֫חַת |
Jahath
(2) A frequent name for a descendant of Levi:
(a) Son of Libni, son of Gershom, the eldest son of Levi (1Ch 6:20,43 (Hebrew 6:5,28), where "son of Libni" is omitted).
(b) Son of Shimei, son of Gershom (1Ch 23:10 f).
(c) One of the "sons" of Shelomoth, a descendant of Izhar, son of Kohath, the second son of Levi (1Ch 24:22).
(d) A descendant of Merari, the third son of Levi, and an overseer in the repairing of the temple in the reign of Josiah (2Ch 34:12).
James Crichton
ja'-haz (yahats, Isa 16:4; Jer 48:34, yahatsah, or yahtsah, Nu 21:23; De 2:32<