Epher is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the genealogies that trace the descendants of Abraham. His name appears in the context of the broader narrative of the patriarchs and their offspring, which is foundational to understanding the lineage and the unfolding of God's covenant with Abraham.

Genealogical Context

Epher is identified as one of the sons of Midian, who was a son of Abraham through Keturah, Abraham's concubine. After the death of Sarah, Abraham took Keturah as a wife, and she bore him several children. The account of Epher and his brothers is found in the Book of Genesis:

"Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah." (Genesis 25:1-4)

Tribal and Historical Significance

Epher, as a descendant of Midian, is part of the Midianite lineage. The Midianites were a nomadic tribe that played a significant role in the history of the Israelites. They are often depicted in the Bible as both adversaries and allies of Israel at different times. The Midianites' interactions with the Israelites are complex, involving trade, conflict, and intermarriage.

The descendants of Epher, along with those of his brothers, likely contributed to the formation of various tribes and clans within the broader Midianite confederation. The Midianites are mentioned in several biblical narratives, including the account of Moses, who fled to Midian and married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a priest of Midian (Exodus 2:15-21).

Cultural and Theological Implications

The mention of Epher and his brothers in the genealogies underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be "a father of many nations" (Genesis 17:4). Through Keturah, Abraham's lineage expanded beyond Isaac and Ishmael, illustrating the breadth of God's blessing and the multiplicity of nations that would arise from Abraham's descendants.

Epher's inclusion in the biblical record, though brief, serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the peoples in the ancient Near East and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through diverse lineages. The genealogies in Genesis highlight the providence of God in history and the intricate tapestry of relationships that form the backdrop of the biblical narrative.

Conclusion

While Epher himself is not a prominent figure in biblical accounts, his place in the genealogy of Abraham through Keturah is significant for understanding the broader context of the patriarchal narratives. His descendants, as part of the Midianite tribes, played a role in the historical and theological development of the biblical world.Epher

dust; lead

Epher

(a calf), the second, in order, of the sons of Midian. (Genesis 25:4; 1 Chronicles 1:33) (B.C. 1820).

Epher

A son of Midian, Genesis 25:4, located beyond the Jordan, 1 Kings 4:10.

A calf.

(1.) One of the sons of Midian, who was Abraham's son by Keturah (Genesis 25:4).

(2.) The head of one of the families of trans-Jordanic Manasseh who were carried captive by Tiglath-pileser (1 Chronicles 5:24).

EPHER

e'-fer `epher, "calf," "young deer"; Apher, Opher:

(1) The second son of Midian, descended from Abraham by his wife Keturah (Genesis 25:4 1 Chronicles 1:33). See further Dillmann's Commentary on Genesis (Genesis 25:4).

(2) The third son of Ezra, descended from the tribe of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:17).

(3) The first of five heads of their fathers' houses, "mighty men of valor, famous men," in the halftribe of Manasseh, who dwelt between Bashan and Mt. Hermon (1 Chronicles 5:23, 14).

6081. Epher -- two Israelites, also a Midianite
... 6080, 6081. Epher. 6082 . two Israelites, also a Midianite. Transliteration:
Epher Phonetic Spelling: (ay'-fer) Short Definition: Epher. ...
/hebrew/6081.htm - 6k

665. epher -- ashes
... 664, 665. epher. 666 . ashes. Transliteration: epher Phonetic Spelling:
(ay'-fer) Short Definition: ashes. ... 664, 665. epher. 666 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/665.htm - 5k

666. apher -- a covering, bandage
... ashes. From the same as 'epher (in the sense of covering); a turban -- ashes.
see HEBREW 'epher. 665, 666. apher. 667 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/666.htm - 6k

6085. Ephron -- a Hittite, also a mountain and a place in Isr.
... From the same as Epher; fawn-like; Ephron, the name of a Canaanite and of two places
in Palestine -- Ephron, Ephrain (from the margin). see HEBREW Epher. ...
/hebrew/6085.htm - 6k

Chapter xxv
... And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim. And the sons of Midian:
Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. ... "Epher" "not located. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

Epher (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EPHER. ...Epher (4 Occurrences). Genesis 25:4
The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. ...
/e/epher.htm - 8k

Keturah (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Genesis 25:4 The sons of Midian: Ephah,
Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. ...
/k/keturah.htm - 9k

Ketu'rah (4 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 25:4 And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and
Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. (See RSV). ...
/k/ketu'rah.htm - 7k

Eldaah (2 Occurrences)
... Eldaah (2 Occurrences). Genesis 25:4 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch,
Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. ...
/e/eldaah.htm - 7k

Elda'ah (2 Occurrences)
... Elda'ah (2 Occurrences). Genesis 25:4 And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher,
and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. ...
/e/elda'ah.htm - 6k

Midianites (30 Occurrences)
... To him were born 5 sons, Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah (Genesis 25:2, 4
1 Chronicles 1:32 f). Bearing gifts from Abraham, he and his brothers, each ...
/m/midianites.htm - 21k

Abida (2 Occurrences)
... Abida (2 Occurrences). Genesis 25:4 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch,
Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. ...
/a/abida.htm - 7k

Hanoch (6 Occurrences)
... Hanoch (6 Occurrences). Genesis 25:4 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch,
Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. ...
/h/hanoch.htm - 8k

Enoch (18 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 25:4 And the sons of Midian
were Ephah, and Epher, and Enoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. ...
/e/enoch.htm - 15k

Midian (60 Occurrences)
... To him were born 5 sons, Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah (Genesis 25:2, 4
1 Chronicles 1:32 f). Bearing gifts from Abraham, he and his brothers, each ...
/m/midian.htm - 32k

What is the significance of Midian in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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