Lexical Summary Chareph: Chareph Original Word: חָרֵף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hareph From charaph.; reproachful; Chareph, an Israelite -- Hareph. see HEBREW charaph. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originperhaps from the same as choreph Definition a leader in Judah NASB Translation Hareph (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָרֵף (dubious whether from I. or II.) proper name, masculine a chief of the line of Judah 1 Chronicles 2:51. Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting “Shobal was the father of Kiriath Jearim, Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.” (1 Chronicles 2:50-51) Hareph appears in the Chronicler’s record of the Judean clans that descended from Caleb through Hur. The verse assigns him the role of “father” (clan head or founder) of the settlement called Beth Gader. This single notice situates Hareph within the territory later ruled by David and, ultimately, within the larger messianic lineage that Scripture traces through Judah. Genealogical Importance 1 Chronicles 2 emphasizes the continuity of covenant history from the patriarchs to the monarchy. By naming men who “fathered” key towns, the writer shows how tribal allotments translated into enduring communities. Hareph’s placement beside Shobal (Kiriath Jearim) and Salma (Bethlehem) underscores that Beth Gader—though less famous than Bethlehem—shared in Judah’s inheritance and contributed to the stability of the Davidic heartland. Place Association: Beth Gader Beth Gader (“House of a Wall/Enclosure”) is probably identical with Geder (Joshua 12:13) or closely linked to Gedor (Joshua 15:58). Archaeological proposals place it in the Shephelah southwest of Bethlehem, an area of mixed pastureland and fertile fields. The Chronicler’s audience would recognize Beth Gader as part of a defensive and agricultural network guarding the approach to the Judean hill country. Historical Perspective Naming clan chiefs as “fathers” of towns reflects an early Iron-Age pattern in which extended families settled, fortified, and governed new sites. Hareph thus represents a generation that consolidated Judah’s foothold after the Conquest, preparing the stage for the united monarchy. His mention centuries later in Chronicles testifies to the durability of clan identity and territorial claims despite exile and restoration. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Continuity: Hareph’s inclusion affirms that God preserves even comparatively obscure branches of His people, weaving them into redemptive history. Lessons for Ministry • Significance in Obscurity: Hareph shows that faithfulness in a small place contributes to God’s larger purposes. Modern believers who serve in unnoticed settings still advance the kingdom. Related Names and Locations – Caleb and Hur: Patriarchs of the clan cluster in which Hareph stands. – Shobal (Kiriath Jearim) and Salma (Bethlehem): Parallel clan heads whose towns gained prominence in worship (the ark) and royal history (David’s birth). – Beth Gader: Possibly the same as ancient Geder/Gedor; a strategic Judean settlement guarding vital routes. Application for Today Hareph’s solitary appearance encourages the reader to value every name recorded in Scripture. God’s meticulous remembrance assures believers that their labor, however small, is “not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Forms and Transliterations חָרֵ֖ף חרף chaRef ḥā·rêp̄ ḥārêp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 2:51 HEB: בֵֽית־ לָ֔חֶם חָרֵ֖ף אֲבִ֥י בֵית־ NAS: of Bethlehem [and] Hareph the father KJV: of Bethlehem, Hareph the father INT: the father of Bethlehem Hareph the father of Beth-gader 1 Occurrence |
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