Jerahmeelites
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Topical Encyclopedia
The Jerahmeelites were a clan or group mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the tribe of Judah. They are descendants of Jerahmeel, the firstborn son of Hezron, who was a grandson of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). The Jerahmeelites are thus part of the broader genealogical framework of the Israelite tribes, with their lineage traced back to the patriarchs.

Biblical References:

1. Genealogy and Lineage:
The primary reference to the Jerahmeelites is found in 1 Chronicles 2:9, 25-27, 33, where the genealogy of the tribe of Judah is detailed. Jerahmeel is listed as a son of Hezron, and his descendants are enumerated, highlighting the significance of his lineage within the tribe of Judah. The passage states: "The sons of Hezron who were born to him: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb" (1 Chronicles 2:9).

2. Territorial and Social Context:
The Jerahmeelites are also mentioned in the context of territorial and social interactions. In 1 Samuel 27:10, David, while living among the Philistines, conducts raids against various groups, including the Jerahmeelites. This indicates that the Jerahmeelites were a distinct group with their own territory during the time of David. The text reads: "When Achish asked, 'Where did you raid today?' David would reply, 'Against the Negev of Judah' or 'Against the Negev of Jerahmeel' or 'Against the Negev of the Kenites'" (1 Samuel 27:10).

3. Cultural and Historical Significance:
The Jerahmeelites, as part of the tribe of Judah, played a role in the broader narrative of Israel's history. Their mention in the context of David's raids suggests they were a recognized group with a defined region, contributing to the complex social and political landscape of ancient Israel. The genealogical records in Chronicles emphasize the importance of lineage and heritage in Israelite society, with the Jerahmeelites being a testament to the diverse familial branches within the tribe of Judah.

Theological Implications:

The inclusion of the Jerahmeelites in the biblical narrative underscores the importance of family and tribal affiliations in the Old Testament. The genealogies serve not only as historical records but also as theological affirmations of God's promises to the patriarchs, particularly the promise of land and descendants. The Jerahmeelites, as part of Judah's lineage, are connected to the messianic promise, as Judah is the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would come.

The Jerahmeelites' presence in the biblical text highlights the intricate tapestry of relationships and territories that characterized ancient Israel. Their interactions with figures like David illustrate the dynamic and often tumultuous nature of life in the Promised Land, where God's chosen people navigated alliances, conflicts, and divine covenants.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jerahmeelites

(descendants of Jerahmeel), The, the tribe descended from the first of the foregoing persons. (1 Samuel 27:10) They dwelt in the south of Judah.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JERAHMEEL; JERAHMEELITES

je-ra'-me-el, je-ra'-me-el-its (yerachme'el, "may God have compassion!"):

(1) In 1 Chronicles 2:9, 25, 26, 27, 33, 42, he is described as the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah by Tamar his daughter-in-law (Genesis 38). In 1 Samuel 27:10 is mentioned the neghebh of the (ha-yerach-me'eli, a collective noun), the Revised Version (British and American) "the South of the Jerahmeelites." The latter is a tribal name in use probably before the proper name, above; their cities are mentioned in 1 Samuel 30:29. Cheyne has radical views on Jerahmeel. See EB, under the word; also T. Witton Davies in Review of Theology and Philosophy, III, 689-708 (May, 1908); and Cheyne's replies in Hibbert Journal, VII, 132-51 (October, 1908), and Decline and Fall of the Kingdom of Judah.

(2) A Merarite Levite, son of Kish (1 Chronicles 24:29).

(3) "The king's son," the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version margin (Jeremiah 36:26). the Revised Version margin, the King James Version have "son of Hammelech," taking the word ha-melek as a proper name. He was "probably a royal prince, one who had a king among his ancestors but not necessarily son of the ruling king; so 38:6; 1 Kings 22:26 b; especially Zechariah 1:8 written at a time when the reigning king, Josiah, could not have had a grown-up `son' " (Driver, Jeremiah, 224, note e). Jerahmeel was with two others commanded by Jehoiakim to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch.

David Francis Roberts

Strong's Hebrew
3397. Yerachmeeli -- descendant of Jerahmeel
... Yerachmeeli. 3398 . descendant of Jerahmeel. Transliteration: Yerachmeeli Phonetic
Spelling: (yer-akh-meh-ay-lee') Short Definition: Jerahmeelites. ... Jerahmeelites ...
/hebrew/3397.htm - 6k
Library

Making the Best of Trouble
... said, "Where have you made a raid to-day?" David answered, "Against the South Country
of Judah, or against the South Country of the Jerahmeelites, or against ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/making the best of trouble.htm

The Early Training of a Race.
... The early Hebrew narratives imply that certain nomadic tribes, as, for example,
the Calebites, the Kenizzites and the Jerahmeelites, independently gained a ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

The Israelites
... while Judah was a mixture of various elements"of Hebrews who traced their origin
alike to Judah, to Simeon, and to Dan; of Kenites and Jerahmeelites from the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Thesaurus
Jerahmeelites (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JERAHMEEL; JERAHMEELITES. ... David Francis Roberts.
Multi-Version Concordance Jerahmeelites (2 Occurrences). ...
/j/jerahmeelites.htm - 9k

Jerah'meelites (2 Occurrences)
Jerah'meelites. Jerahmeelites, Jerah'meelites. Jerechu . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Jerahmeelites, Jerah'meelites. Jerechu . Reference Bible.
/j/jerah'meelites.htm - 7k

Jerahmeel (9 Occurrences)
... (2.) The son of Kish, a Levite (1 Chronicles 24:29). (3.) Son of Hammelech (Jeremiah
36:26). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JERAHMEEL; JERAHMEELITES. ...
/j/jerahmeel.htm - 11k

Ken'ites (6 Occurrences)
... 10 And Achish said: 'Whither have ye made a raid to-day?' And David said: 'Against
the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against ...
/k/ken'ites.htm - 8k

Jerahmeelite (1 Occurrence)
... 27:10 Achish said, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" David said, "Against
the South of Judah, against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the ...
/j/jerahmeelite.htm - 6k

Kenites (8 Occurrences)
... 27:10 Achish said, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" David said, "Against
the South of Judah, against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the ...
/k/kenites.htm - 13k

Negeb (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 27:5 f); the exploits of David were against various parts of this district
described as the Negeb of Judah, the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites, and the ...
/n/negeb.htm - 26k

Negev (39 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 27:5 f); the exploits of David were against various parts of this district
described as the Negeb of Judah, the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites, and the ...
/n/negev.htm - 26k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... the two Kenizzite clans of Caleb and Othniel also were absorbed; and it is clear
from 1 Samuel 27:10; 1 Samuel 30:29 that the Jerahmeelites-closely connected ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Kenite (9 Occurrences)
... 27:10 Achish said, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" David said, "Against
the South of Judah, against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the ...
/k/kenite.htm - 9k

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

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Concordance
Jerahmeelites (2 Occurrences)

1 Samuel 27:10
Achish said, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" David said, "Against the South of Judah, against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS)

1 Samuel 30:29
and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Jerahmeelites

Related Terms

Jerahmeelites (2 Occurrences)

Jerechu

Jerahmeelite
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