Original Word: אֲחִישׁחַר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Achiyshachar
Pronunciation: a-khee-sha-khar
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-shakh'-ar)
KJV: Ahishar
NASB: Ahishahar
Word Origin: [from H251 (אָח - brother) and H7837 (שַׁחַר - dawn)]

1. brother of (the) dawn
2. Achishachar, an Israelite

Ahishar

From 'ach and shachar; brother of (the) dawn; Achishachar, an Israelite -- Ahishar.

see HEBREW 'ach

see HEBREW shachar

Word Origin
from ach and shachar
Definition
"brother of (the) dawn," a Benjamite
NASB Translation
Ahishahar (1).

אֲחִישָׁ֑חַר proper name, masculine (brother of (the) dawn, Assyrian A—šêri Dl^{Pr 202}) a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 7:10.

Name and Occurrence

Ahishahar appears once in Scripture, in 1 Chronicles 7:10, as one of the seven sons of Bilhan of the tribe of Benjamin. Although the name is rare, its placement in the Chronicler’s genealogy assigns it enduring value within the inspired record.

Genealogical Context

1 Chronicles 7 catalogs northern tribes during the united monarchy era, highlighting Benjamin’s military capacity and covenant continuity. Bilhan’s sons—Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar—represent a second‐tier lineage within Jediael’s clan (1 Chronicles 7:10–11). The Chronicler’s careful preservation of these names safeguards tribal inheritance rights (Numbers 36:7) and anticipates post-exilic resettlement needs (Ezra 2:1).

Historical Setting

The Chronicler writes after the Babylonian exile, drawing on earlier royal archives (1 Chronicles 9:1). By recording Ahishahar, he affirms Benjamin’s place beside Judah in rebuilding national identity. The name’s occurrence within a martial roster—“mighty men of valor” numbering 17,200 (1 Chronicles 7:11)—implies that Ahishahar’s descendants contributed to Israel’s defensive readiness, likely during the reigns of David and Solomon when tribal levies supported the standing army (1 Chronicles 27:12).

Theological Significance

1. Divine Faithfulness. Every name in the Chronicler’s lists testifies that “the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Ahishahar’s single mention underscores that none of God’s people are overlooked.
2. Covenant Community. Benjamin, though smaller in size, received royal favor through Saul (1 Samuel 9:21) and protection through Judah after the exile (Nehemiah 11:31–36). Ahishahar embodies the continued inclusion of Benjamin in God’s redemptive plan culminating in the Apostle Paul, “a Hebrew of Hebrews; of the tribe of Benjamin” (Philippians 3:5).
3. Eschatological Hope. The likely meaning “brother of dawn” evokes Isaiah’s imagery of light breaking upon Zion (Isaiah 60:1). In genealogical form, it foreshadows the “Sunrise from on high” visiting Israel (Luke 1:78), suggesting that even obscure Benjamites participate in the unfolding revelation of Christ.

Practical Application

• Genealogies affirm personal significance within God’s purposes. Modern believers, often nameless to history, are “written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
• Ministry records matter. Church membership rolls or missionary logs echo the Chronicler’s lists, preserving testimony for future generations.
• Hope amid obscurity. Like Ahishahar, whose name hints at dawn, Christians serve in anticipation of the “morning star” (Revelation 22:16).

Related Passages and Cross-References

1 Chronicles 7:6-12 – Immediate context of Benjamin’s descendants.

Numbers 1:36-37; Numbers 26:38-41 – Earlier census figures for Benjamin.

Judges 20 – Benjamin’s martial heritage, resonating with the valiant men in Chronicles.

Ezra 2:1; Nehemiah 11:31-36 – Post-exilic Benjamite settlements confirming covenant continuity.

Philippians 3:5 – New Testament affirmation of Benjamin’s ongoing role through Paul.

וַאֲחִישָֽׁחַר׃ ואחישחר׃ vaachiShachar wa’ăḥîšāḥar wa·’ă·ḥî·šā·ḥarInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts