Sheshan שֵׁשָׁן
Jerahmeelite whose daughter married his Egyptian servant
Who is Sheshan in the Bible?
Sheshan was a Jerahmeelite, a member of a clan within the tribe of Judah, who appears in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:31-35. Having no sons, only daughters, Sheshan faced the prospect of his family line dying out. To preserve his lineage, he made the unusual decision to give his daughter in marriage to Jarha, his Egyptian servant (1 Chronicles 2:34-35). This cross-cultural and cross-social union produced descendants who continued Sheshan's family line, demonstrating his determination to ensure his name and heritage would endure despite social conventions of his time.
Biography
Sheshan was a member of the Jerahmeelite clan, which was part of the tribe of Judah. He is mentioned in the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 2. Sheshan had no sons, only daughters (v. 34). Faced with the prospect of his lineage ending, Sheshan took an unconventional step. He gave one of his daughters in marriage to his Egyptian servant, Jarha (v. 35). This act allowed Sheshan's line to continue through his daughter and his servant. The passage goes on to list the descendants of Sheshan through this union, indicating that his decision had a lasting impact on his family line. This account highlights the importance of preserving one's lineage and the measures taken to ensure its continuation, even if it meant crossing social boundaries.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 3 verses
- 1 Chronicles 2:31
"The son of Appaim: Ishi. The son of Ishi: Sheshan. The son of Sheshan: Ahlai."
- 1 Chronicles 2:34
"Sheshan had no sons, but only daughters. He also had an Egyptian servant named Jarha."
- 1 Chronicles 2:35
"Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore to him Attai."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שֵׁשָׁן |
Sheshan
genealogical list which follows embraces some very early names (compare Curtis, ICC, at the place).
shesh-baz'-ar (shesh-batstsar or sheshbatstsar): Sheshbazzar is the Hebrew or Aramaic form of the Babylonian Shamash-aba-ucur, or Shamash-bana-ucur: "Oh Shamash, protect the father." It is possible that the full n