Lexical Summary Shelesh: Third, threefold, triad Original Word: שֶׁלֶשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shelesh From shalash; triplet; Shelesh, an Israelite -- Shelesh. see HEBREW shalash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as shalosh Definition an Asherite NASB Translation Shelesh (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֶׁ֫לֶשׁ (van d. H. שֵׁ֫לָשׁ) proper name, masculine in Asher, 1 Chronicles 7:35, Ζεμη, A Σελλης, ᵐ5L Σελεμ. Topical Lexicon Place in the Tribal Record of Asher Shēlesh appears once in Scripture, embedded in the genealogy of Asher. “The sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal” (1 Chronicles 7:35). This single mention secures him a fixed point within the inspired ancestral register that chronicles how the tribe of Asher expanded in the era between the patriarchs and the monarchy. By locating Shēlesh among Helem’s sons, the Chronicler supplies a lineage that helps explain the population strength attributed to Asher in census lists (Numbers 1:40-41; Numbers 26:47). Genealogies were covenant documents; every individual named, including Shēlesh, bore witness to the faithfulness of God in preserving the tribal allotments promised in Joshua 19:24-31. Historical Setting and Function of the Genealogy 1 Chronicles was compiled after the Babylonian exile to reaffirm Israel’s identity and hope. The Chronicler rehearses tribal lines, not for antiquarian interest, but to re‐anchor post-exilic readers in their divine heritage. Shēlesh’s inclusion reminds the restored community that even lesser-known ancestors were engraved on the covenant scroll. Thus, Shēlesh stands as evidence that God remembered every family, however obscure, during national upheaval. His name contributes to the Chronicler’s larger purpose: to show continuity between pre-exilic Israel and the remnant returning to rebuild temple worship (Ezra 3; Haggai 2:4-5). Theological Implications 1. Faithfulness in Detail: The Spirit-inspired record preserves Shēlesh’s name though no exploits of his are recounted. This affirms that divine faithfulness concerns itself with individuals, not merely prominent leaders (Psalm 139:16). Christological and Redemptive Connections Genealogies ultimately converge on the Messiah (Matthew 1; Luke 3). While Asher’s line is not traced directly to Jesus, its preservation underscores a broader redemptive pattern: God threads every tribe into the tapestry leading to Christ, the true “Branch” (Isaiah 11:1). Shēlesh’s place in Scripture therefore contributes, however silently, to the pedigree of promise culminating at Calvary. Lessons for Ministry Today • Value Every Member: Church leaders should emulate the Chronicler’s care for every individual, recording and remembering their service (1 Corinthians 12:22-25). Intertextual Echoes and Further Study Compare Shēlesh’s placement with other single-appearance figures such as Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) and Hurai (2 Samuel 23:35). In each case, brevity does not lessen theological weight. Study Asher’s blessing (Genesis 49:20) alongside the tribe’s later participation in Hezekiah’s Passover (2 Chronicles 30:11) to see how ancestral promises influence later revival movements. Shēlesh may occupy only one verse, yet his name enriches Scripture’s testimony that “all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Forms and Transliterations וְשֵׁ֥לֶשׁ ושלש veShelesh wə·šê·leš wəšêlešLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 7:35 HEB: צוֹפַ֥ח וְיִמְנָ֖ע וְשֵׁ֥לֶשׁ וְעָמָֽל׃ NAS: [were] Zophah, Imna, Shelesh and Amal. KJV: and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal. INT: Zophah Imna Shelesh and Amal 1 Occurrence |
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