Lexical Summary Tirchanah: Tirchanah Original Word: תִּרְחֲנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tirhanah Of uncertain derivation; Tirchanah, an Israelite -- Tirhanah. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a child of Caleb NASB Translation Tirhanah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs תִּרְחֲנָה proper name [masculine? feminine?] child of Caleb 1 Chronicles 2:48; Θαραμ, A Θαρχνα, ᵐ5L Θαραανα. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Tirhanah is named once in the Old Testament, in the extended genealogy of Judah recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:48: “His concubine Maacah bore Sheber and Tirhanah”. The statement sits within a catalog of descendants that traces the family of Caleb, son of Hezron, emphasizing Judah’s prominence among the tribes of Israel. Genealogical Context 1 Chronicles 2 details multiple wives and concubines of Caleb and the children born to each. Tirhanah, listed alongside Sheber, is born to Maacah, one of Caleb’s concubines. While most names in the passage clearly designate males who become clan heads, the Hebrew form of Tirhanah can be read as either masculine or feminine. The Chronicler’s terse style offers no further clarification, leaving modern readers unsure whether Tirhanah represents an individual son, a daughter, or a clan deriving from either. Regardless, the placement affirms Tirhanah’s standing within the broader Calebite family line, a sub-tribe of Judah noted elsewhere for its faithfulness and inheritance around Hebron (Joshua 14:6–15). Historical Background The genealogies in Chronicles were compiled after the exile to establish continuity between pre-exilic Israel and the restored community. By listing even the children of concubines, the Chronicler underscores the breadth and resilience of Judah’s lineage. Tirhanah’s inclusion illustrates how every branch of the covenant family—whether born to a wife of full status or to a concubine—was accounted for in the divine record. Such detail encouraged the post-exilic community, assuring them that none of God’s people had been forgotten despite national upheaval. Spiritual and Theological Insight 1. Covenant Faithfulness: Tirhanah’s quiet appearance testifies to God’s comprehensive covenant dealings. Scripture does not merely preserve the great acts of patriarchs; it also remembers lesser-known descendants, showing that God values each life woven into redemptive history. Applications for Ministry • God’s Omniscient Care: Preachers and teachers can highlight how even a single-occurrence name like Tirhanah demonstrates that the Lord knows and records every person. This comforts believers who feel obscure or overlooked. Cross-References and Typological Echoes • Caleb’s Faith: Numbers 13–14 highlights Caleb’s wholehearted devotion to the Lord. His descendants, including Tirhanah, inherit the legacy of that faith, underscoring how covenant blessing flows through generations (Deuteronomy 7:9). Summary Tirhanah’s single mention in Scripture may seem insignificant, yet his or her presence in 1 Chronicles 2 enriches the portrait of God’s meticulous faithfulness to every branch of Judah. The name reminds believers that the Lord records lives the world overlooks, weaves them into His saving purposes, and invites each generation to steward its place in the unfolding account of redemption. Forms and Transliterations תִּרְחֲנָֽה׃ תרחנה׃ tir·ḥă·nāh tirchaNah tirḥănāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 2:48 HEB: שֶׁ֖בֶר וְאֶֽת־ תִּרְחֲנָֽה׃ NAS: bore Sheber and Tirhanah. KJV: bare Sheber, and Tirhanah. INT: bore Sheber and Tirhanah 1 Occurrence |
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