Lexical Summary Achban: Achban Original Word: אַחְבָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ahban From 'ach and biyn; brother (i.e. Possessor) of understanding; Achban, an Israelite -- Ahban. see HEBREW 'ach see HEBREW biyn NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ach and bin Definition "brother of an intelligent one," an Isr. NASB Translation Ahban (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַחְבָּן proper name, masculine (brother of an intelligent one) son of Abishur, of Judah 1 Chronicles 2:29. Topical Lexicon Biblical Context“Abishur’s wife was Abihail, who bore him Ahban and Molid.” (1 Chronicles 2:29) The sole biblical appearance of Ahban falls within the extensive Judahite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 2. The Chronicler is tracing the descendants of Hezron, a chief ancestor in the tribe of Judah, thereby rooting Israel’s covenant history in verifiable family lines. Ahban is named immediately after his older relative Abishur and his mother Abihail, signaling that his identity is anchored in both paternal and maternal heritage. Genealogical Setting within Judah 1. Hezron This branch is distinct from the line that leads to David yet remains firmly within the tribal allotment of Judah. The Jerahmeelite families resided in the hill country of southern Judah, an area later associated with David’s formative years. The Chronicler’s meticulous preservation of such names underscores Judah’s internal complexity: several clans, all covenantally bound, converged to produce the monarchy and ultimately the Messiah. Historical Importance 1. Record of Land Rights Genealogies like this served legal functions after the exile, authenticating ancestral claims to territory (Ezra 2:59-63). Ahban’s placement helps secure Jerahmeelite inheritance boundaries. 2. Preservation through Exile Chronicles, compiled after the Babylonian captivity, testifies that even obscure families were remembered. The survival of Ahban’s name across centuries illustrates God’s commitment to His people’s identity despite geopolitical upheaval. 3. Prophetic Continuity While not in David’s direct line, the mention of Ahban reinforces Judah’s role as the royal tribe (Genesis 49:10). Every Judahite house, including the Jerahmeelites, contributed to the tribe from which the scepter would arise. Theological Reflections 1. God’s Attention to the Individual Scripture’s inclusion of a single-occurrence name teaches that no person in the covenant community is insignificant (Isaiah 49:16; Luke 10:20). Ahban’s silent place in the narrative still speaks of divine remembrance. 2. Covenant Fidelity across Generations The six-generation chain from Hezron to Ahban models endurance of faith and family. Each link had to carry forward the Abrahamic promises so that the next could inherit them. 3. Corporate Identity and Diversity Judah’s genealogies intertwine various sub-clans, illustrating unity amid diversity (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Ministry application: the body of Christ values every member, known or unknown, prominent or obscure. Lessons for Ministry Today • Value Hidden Service Just as Ahban’s name persists without recorded deeds, many believers serve unheralded roles. Pastors and teachers should honor unseen laborers (Hebrews 6:10). • Preserve Spiritual Heritage Families are urged to recount God’s works to succeeding generations (Psalm 78:5-7). Recording testimonies and genealogies of faith can strengthen identity and mission. • Encourage Faithfulness, Not Fame Ministry success is measured by fidelity to God’s call, not by public recognition. Ahban reminds leaders to cultivate faithfulness over visibility. Inter-Textual Observations • The pairing “Ahban and Molid” echoes other brother-lists (e.g., Ephraim and Manasseh) that later develop into distinct households, suggesting both covenant solidarity and unique callings within one family. Summary Ahban stands as a single-verse witness to the faithfulness of God in preserving every branch of Judah’s family tree. Though his life’s details are lost to history, his recorded name affirms that the Lord knows, values, and remembers each person He has woven into His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations אַחְבָּ֖ן אחבן ’aḥ·bān ’aḥbān achBanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 2:29 HEB: ל֔וֹ אֶת־ אַחְבָּ֖ן וְאֶת־ מוֹלִֽיד׃ NAS: and she bore him Ahban and Molid. KJV: and she bare him Ahban, and Molid. INT: Abihail bore Ahban and Molid |
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