Charaathalan is a location mentioned in the apocryphal text of 1 Esdras, which is considered part of the deuterocanonical books by some Christian traditions but is not included in the Hebrew Bible or the Protestant canon. The name Charaathalan appears in the context of the return of the exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel.

Biblical Context

In 1 Esdras 5:36, Charaathalan is listed among the places from which the exiles returned. The passage reads: "The sons of Charaathalan and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five." This enumeration is part of a larger census of the people who returned to Judah and Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, paralleling the accounts found in the canonical books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Geographical and Historical Significance

The exact location of Charaathalan is not definitively known, and it is not mentioned in the canonical books of the Bible. Some scholars suggest that it may be a scribal error or a variant of another place name found in the lists of returnees, such as Hariph or Harim, which appear in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Others propose that it could be a small settlement or a district within the region of Judah.

The mention of Charaathalan alongside Ono, a location identified in the territory of Benjamin (Nehemiah 11:35), suggests that it may have been situated in the same general area. Ono is known to have been a significant settlement during the post-exilic period, and its association with Charaathalan could indicate a connection or proximity between the two.

Theological Implications

The inclusion of Charaathalan in the list of returnees underscores the comprehensive nature of the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile. It highlights the fulfillment of God's promises to bring His people back to their land, as prophesied by Jeremiah and other prophets. The return from exile is a pivotal event in the history of Israel, symbolizing renewal, restoration, and the faithfulness of God to His covenant people.

Theologically, the return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple are seen as acts of divine providence and mercy. The mention of various locations, including Charaathalan, emphasizes the collective effort and unity of the Israelites in re-establishing their religious and cultural identity in the land given to them by God.

Cultural and Religious Context

The returnees from Charaathalan, like those from other locations, played a role in the reconstitution of the Jewish community in Jerusalem. This period was marked by significant religious reforms, including the re-establishment of the Temple worship and adherence to the Law of Moses. The community's dedication to these reforms is evident in the covenant renewal ceremonies and the public reading of the Law, as described in Nehemiah 8-10.

In summary, while Charaathalan is a relatively obscure location with limited information available, its mention in the context of the return from exile contributes to the broader narrative of restoration and faithfulness that characterizes this significant period in biblical history.CHARAATHALAN

kar-a-ath'-a-lan (Charaathalan; the King James Version Charaathalar (1 Esdras 5:36)): Most probably a corruption of the text. The names "Cherub, Addan, and Immer" in the lists of Ezra 2:59 and Nehemiah 7:61 are presented in the text cited as "Charaathalan leading them, and Allar."

Charaathalan
...CHARAATHALAN. kar-a-ath'-a-lan (Charaathalan; the King James Version Charaathalar
(1 Esdras 5:36)): Most probably a corruption of the text. ...
/c/charaathalan.htm - 6k

Chapter

/c/chapter.htm - 8k

Cherub (21 Occurrences)
... In 1 Esdras 5:36 we read "Charaathalan leading them, and Allar," a phrase that seems
to have arisen through confusion of the names in the passages cited above. ...
/c/cherub.htm - 18k

Characa

/c/characa.htm - 7k

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