Lexical Summary
Charnepher: Charnepher
Original Word: חַרְנֶפֶר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Charnepher
Pronunciation: khar-neh'-fer
Phonetic Spelling: (khar-neh'fer)
KJV: Harnepher
NASB: Harnepher
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]
1. Charnepher, an Israelite
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Harnepher
Of uncertain derivation; Charnepher, an Israelite -- Harnepher.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain derivation
Definitionan Asherite
NASB TranslationHarnepher (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
חַרְנֶ֫פֶר proper name, masculine name in tribe of Asher 1 Chronicles 7:36 =
proper name, of a location see Be. — ᵐ5 Αναρφαρ, A Αρναφαρ, ᵐ5L Αριαφερ.
חרס (√ of foll.; meaning dubious).
Topical Lexicon
OccurrenceHarnepher appears once in Scripture, in the genealogical roster of 1 Chronicles 7:36: “The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, and Imrah” (Berean Standard Bible). Though only a single mention, the name is preserved within the inspired record of the tribe of Asher.
Genealogical Context
1. Lineage
• Harnepher is a son of Zophah, a grandson of Helem, and a great-grandson of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:30-36).
• This places him among the descendants of Jacob’s eighth son, whose tribe settled along Israel’s northern seacoast (Joshua 19:24-31).
2. Purpose of the Chronicler
• Chronicles was compiled after the exile to affirm Israel’s covenant identity and to validate inheritance rights (1 Chronicles 9:1).
• By recording otherwise obscure names such as Harnepher, the text underlines the divine preservation of every family line, however small.
Tribal and Historical Significance
1. Asher’s Blessing
• Jacob foretold, “Asher’s food will be rich, and he will provide royal delicacies” (Genesis 49:20).
• Moses echoed, “Asher is most blessed of sons; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil” (Deuteronomy 33:24).
• The sizeable descendant list in 1 Chronicles 7, including Harnepher, testifies to the fulfillment of those blessings—fruitfulness and prosperity.
2. Post-Conquest Settlement
• Asher occupied fertile territory from Mount Carmel to Sidon. The inclusion of Harnepher in the tribal register suggests his lineage enjoyed the material abundance associated with that region.
3. Military Readiness
• Immediately following Asher’s genealogy, the Chronicler numbers “26,000 mighty men of valor” (1 Chronicles 7:40). Harnepher’s household contributed to the fighting strength that safeguarded Israel’s borders.
Theological Themes
1. Divine Faithfulness to Individuals
• Scripture’s attention to a little-known descendant reminds readers that God values each person within His covenant people (cf. Isaiah 45:4).
2. Continuity of the Promised Seed
• Genealogies trace the unfolding plan of redemption culminating in Messiah. Even names like Harnepher form vital links demonstrating God’s meticulous providence.
3. Corporate Identity and Personal Responsibility
• Though recorded in a collective list, Harnepher is singled out by name. The balance between communal heritage and individual accountability resonates with later teaching—“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function” (Romans 12:4).
Ministry Application
1. Encouragement for the Overlooked
• Harnepher never performs an exploit that Scripture recounts, yet his name endures. Believers serving in unseen roles can trust the Lord who “is not unjust; He will not forget your work” (Hebrews 6:10).
2. Importance of Spiritual Heritage
• Families and churches should value spiritual genealogies—testimonies of faith passed from generation to generation (2 Timothy 1:5).
3. Record-Keeping and Stewardship
• The Chronicler’s precision models diligence in preserving history, challenging ministries today to maintain accurate records of God’s works among them.
Lessons for Modern Believers
• God’s plan embraces both prominent leaders and ordinary saints.
• Faithfulness in one generation strengthens the witness of the next.
• Every name matters because every person matters to the Lord of covenant history.
Forms and Transliterations
וְחַרְנֶ֛פֶר וחרנפר vecharNefer wə·ḥar·ne·p̄er wəḥarnep̄er
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