Mareshah is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah. He is noted as the father of Hebron, a significant city in the biblical narrative. The name Mareshah is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "summit" or "chief place," which may reflect the prominence of his lineage or the city associated with his name.

Biblical References:

Mareshah is mentioned in the genealogical lists found in the First Book of Chronicles. In 1 Chronicles 2:42, the text states: "The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha his firstborn was the father of Ziph, and his son Mareshah was the father of Hebron." . This passage situates Mareshah within the broader context of the descendants of Caleb, a notable figure from the tribe of Judah.

Genealogical Context:

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 descended. Mareshah's inclusion in these records underscores the importance of his lineage. As the father of Hebron, Mareshah is linked to a city that holds considerable historical and theological significance.

Hebron:

Hebron is one of the oldest cities in the region and is frequently mentioned throughout the Old Testament. It is notably associated with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are said to have sojourned there. Hebron later became a Levitical city and a city of refuge, as well as the initial capital of King David's reign before he established Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Historical and Theological Significance:

The mention of Mareshah as the father of Hebron highlights the interconnectedness of familial lines and territorial inheritance in the biblical narrative. Hebron's prominence as a city of refuge and its association with the patriarchs underscore its spiritual and historical importance. The genealogical record serves to affirm the continuity of God's promises to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through the tribe of Judah.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:

While the biblical text provides limited information about Mareshah himself, archaeological findings in the region of ancient Judah have shed light on the historical context of the cities and tribes mentioned in the Scriptures. Excavations in the area of Hebron have revealed artifacts and structures that date back to the time of the patriarchs, offering tangible evidence of the city's long-standing significance.

In summary, Mareshah's role as the father of Hebron places him within the rich tapestry of Judah's history, linking him to a city that is central to the biblical narrative and the unfolding of God's covenantal promises.1 Chronicles 2:42
Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were, Mesha his firstborn, which was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
Nave's Topical Index

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... up from thence she went up to Hebron, that is ... from which the Saviour made His ascension
to the Father. ... country of the Horites and Gittites, Mareshah, Edom, and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... rehabilitation of Israel, of which his father had but ... Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath,
Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Ajalon, Hebron. ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

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