Ethnan
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Ethnan is a biblical figure mentioned briefly in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. His name appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the First Book of Chronicles. The name "Ethnan" is derived from the Hebrew root meaning "gift" or "hire," which may suggest a cultural or familial significance in the context of his lineage.

Biblical Reference:

Ethnan is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:7: "The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan."

Genealogical Context:

Ethnan is listed as one of the sons of Helah, who is a descendant of Judah. The genealogies in 1 Chronicles serve to establish the tribal and familial lines of the Israelites, particularly focusing on the tribe of Judah, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ are descended. The mention of Ethnan, though brief, contributes to the broader tapestry of Judah's lineage, emphasizing the importance of family heritage and tribal identity in the biblical narrative.

Cultural and Historical Significance:

The genealogies in Chronicles are not merely historical records but are imbued with theological significance. They reflect the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs, particularly the promise to Judah that his descendants would hold a place of prominence among the tribes of Israel. Ethnan's inclusion in this genealogy underscores the continuity of God's covenantal faithfulness through successive generations.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the genealogies, including the mention of figures like Ethnan, highlight the providence and sovereignty of God in orchestrating history according to His divine plan. Each name, though sometimes obscure, is a testament to the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes. The chronicler's intent is to remind the post-exilic community of their identity and heritage as God's chosen people, encouraging them to remain faithful to the covenant.

Conclusion:

While Ethnan himself is not a prominent figure in biblical narratives, his mention in the genealogical records serves as a reminder of the intricate and purposeful design of God's plan for His people. The genealogies in Chronicles, including the brief mention of Ethnan, are integral to understanding the continuity of God's promises and the unfolding of His redemptive history through the line of Judah.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ethnan

gift

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ethnan

(hire), one of the sons of Helah the wife of Ashur. (1 Chronicles 4:7)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ETHNAN

eth'-nan ('ethnan, "gift" or "hire"; Ethnadi):

A Judahite (1 Chronicles 4:7).

Strong's Hebrew
869. Ethnan -- an Israelite
... 868, 869. Ethnan. 870 . an Israelite. Transliteration: Ethnan Phonetic Spelling:
(eth-nan') Short Definition: Ethnan. ... NASB Word Usage Ethnan (1). Ethnan. ...
/hebrew/869.htm - 6k

868. ethnan -- the wages (of a harlot)
... 867, 868. ethnan. 869 . the wages (of a harlot). Transliteration: ethnan Phonetic
Spelling: (eth-nan') Short Definition: earnings. ... 867, 868. ethnan. 869 ...
/hebrew/868.htm - 6k

Thesaurus
Ethnan (1 Occurrence)
...ETHNAN. eth'-nan ('ethnan, "gift" or "hire"; Ethnadi): A Judahite (1 Chronicles
4:7). Multi-Version Concordance Ethnan (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/ethnan.htm - 6k

Hire (48 Occurrences)
... Jacob as a concubine (Genesis 30:18). (2) The other word translated hire
is 'ethnan, once 'ethnan. It is rather a gift (from root ...
/h/hire.htm - 27k

Zohar (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 4:7 And the sons
of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. (See JPS DBY YLT NIV). ...
/z/zohar.htm - 9k

Zereth (2 Occurrences)
... BBE DBY NAS NIV). 1 Chronicles 4:7 The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar,
and Ethnan. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/z/zereth.htm - 7k

Jezoar (1 Occurrence)
... je-zo'-ar. See IZHAR. Multi-Version Concordance Jezoar (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles
4:7 And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan. (KJV WBS). ...
/j/jezoar.htm - 6k

Izhar (10 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 4:7 The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar,
and Ethnan. (WEB ASV BBE NAS RSV). 1 Chronicles 6:2 The ...
/i/izhar.htm - 10k

Ithnan (1 Occurrence)
... ITHNAN. ith'-nan (yithnan): A town in the South of Judah mentioned along with Hazor
and Ziph (Joshua 15:23), apparently the "Ethnan" of Jerome (Onom 118 13). ...
/i/ithnan.htm - 6k

Ethnarch (1 Occurrence)

/e/ethnarch.htm - 7k

Ethma

/e/ethma.htm - 6k

Helah (2 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 4:7 The sons of Helah
were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/helah.htm - 7k

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