Lexical Summary Ethnan: Hire, Wages, Payment Original Word: אֶתְנַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ethnan The same as 'ethnan in the sense of 'Ethniy; Ethnan, an Israelite -- Ethnan. see HEBREW 'ethnan see HEBREW 'Ethniy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Ethnan (1). Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence 1 Chronicles 4 records a series of tribal genealogies for Judah. Within verse 7 we read: “The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, Ethnan, and Koz.” Ethnan is therefore named only once in the Old Testament, yet that solitary mention locates him in the divinely preserved line of Judah. Genealogical Setting Ethnan is a grandson of Ashhur, “the father of Tekoa” (1 Chronicles 4 5). Ashhur, himself a later son of Hezron (2 Chronicles 2 24), anchors this branch firmly in the royal tribe. The inclusion of Helah’s sons shows that Judah’s clan structure incorporated offspring from more than one wife, an historical reality that Scripture records without endorsement. Ethnan shares lineage with towns such as Tekoa—home of the prophet Amos—and ultimately with Bethlehem and Jerusalem, seats of David’s dynasty. Historical Context in Chronicles 1 Chronicles was compiled for the post-exilic community, reminding returned exiles that their covenant identity did not perish in Babylon. By naming even lesser-known individuals, the Chronicler demonstrated that God remembered every family and apportioned each an inheritance in the land. Ethnan’s appearance—though brief—functions as a link in a meticulously traced chain proving the continuity of Judah from patriarchal times to the restoration era. Theological Significance 1. Preservation of Promise: God had pledged that “the scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49 10). Every Judahite recorded, including Ethnan, testifies to the unfailing reliability of that promise culminating in Jesus Christ, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5 5). Possible Meaning and Symbolism Although Scripture does not define Ethnan’s name in the text, it likely derives from a verbal root associated with “giving” or “hire.” If so, it subtly underscores the principle that God “gives” every descendant his place in history and apportions inheritance by grace rather than human striving (Psalm 16 5-6; Ephesians 2 8-10). Ministry Applications • Encourage those serving in unnoticed roles: Ethnan illustrates how a seemingly minor figure shares in the unfolding plan of redemption. Christological Trajectory From Judah came David; from David came the Christ (Matthew 1 1-17). Ethnan occupies one of the many intermediate links proving that the Messiah entered history through an authentic, traceable human family. The Chronicler’s meticulous record thus undergirds New Testament claims about Jesus’ legal right to David’s throne (Luke 1 32-33). Lessons for Contemporary Believers 1. God’s faithfulness spans generations; He completes what He begins (Philippians 1 6). In the brief mention of Ethnan, the Scriptures once again demonstrate that in God’s economy no detail is superfluous and no person forgotten. Forms and Transliterations וְאֶתְנָֽן׃ ואתנן׃ veetNan wə’eṯnān wə·’eṯ·nānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 4:7 HEB: (וְצֹ֖חַר ק) וְאֶתְנָֽן׃ NAS: [were] Zereth, Izhar and Ethnan. KJV: and Jezoar, and Ethnan. INT: Zereth Jitschar and Ethnan 1 Occurrence |
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