Jesher
Who was Jesher in the Bible?
Jesher was a descendant of Judah and the first-named son of Caleb, son of Hezron, and his wife Azubah.
Jesher is a minor figure in the biblical genealogies of the Tribe of Judah. He is identified specifically as a son of Caleb, son of Hezron, and is notable for his placement within the lineage that eventually produced the Davidic monarchy. The name Jesher is derived from a Hebrew root meaning 'upright' or 'straight,' suggesting a character trait of integrity, though the biblical text does not provide specific details regarding his life or deeds.
His primary significance lies in his ancestry and his place within the early settlements of the Israelite tribes during the transition from the Egyptian sojourn into the wilderness period. As a member of the influential clan of Caleb, Jesher’s inclusion in the records of 1 Chronicles serves to establish the legitimacy and breadth of the Judean tribal heritage.
Background and Family
Jesher appears in the genealogical records of the Tribe of Judah, specifically within the lineage of Hezron. According to 1 Chronicles 2:18, Jesher was the son of Caleb (son of Hezron) and his wife Azubah. He is listed alongside two brothers, Shobab and Ardon. While the text mentions a second woman, Jerioth, in connection with Caleb, the verse explicitly identifies Jesher as one of the "sons of Azubah."
His family context is extensive, as his father Caleb is a central figure in the Judean line. Through this lineage, Jesher is related to other prominent figures such as Hur and Achsah. The genealogical structure of this period is vital for understanding the tribal distribution and the social hierarchy of the Israelites during the late Egyptian and early wilderness eras.
Major Life Events
The biblical record for Jesher is restricted to a single mention in the Book of Chronicles. Consequently, there are no recorded major life events, such as battles, migrations, or leadership roles, attributed to him. In the context of biblical historiography, his "event" is his birth and his preservation in the written record of Israel’s ancestry. As part of the generation that would have been shaped by the transition from Egyptian servitude to the freedom of the wilderness, his life was part of the foundational period of the nation of Israel.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Jesher’s primary relationships are familial. As the son of Caleb ben Hezron, he belongs to one of the most prestigious families in the Tribe of Judah. He is the brother of Shobab and Ardon, and his wider kin network includes a large number of siblings and half-siblings through his father’s other relationships, including figures like Mesha, Haran, and Sheva. These connections link him to the broader infrastructure of the tribe that would eventually dominate the southern region of Canaan.
Spiritual Significance
While Jesher himself does not perform specific spiritual acts recorded in scripture, his name—meaning "upright"—carries theological weight. The inclusion of his name in the sacred genealogies serves the spiritual purpose of affirming God's faithfulness to the covenant families of Israel. By recording the names of individuals like Jesher, the Chronicler emphasizes that every member of the covenant community, regardless of their individual prominence, holds a place in the unfolding history of redemption.
Jesher's significance is primarily genealogical. As a son of Caleb within the Tribe of Judah, he represents the preservation of the Israelite family lines during the period of the Exodus and wilderness wandering. His presence in 1 Chronicles ensures the continuity of the record leading toward the establishment of the kingdom of Judah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jesher's father?
Jesher was the son of Caleb, the son of Hezron, of the Tribe of Judah.
Who were Jesher's siblings?
His full brothers, born to Azubah, were Shobab and Ardon. He also had numerous half-siblings through his father Caleb.
What does the name Jesher mean?
The name Jesher comes from the Hebrew word for 'upright', 'straight', or 'right'.
In which book of the Bible is Jesher mentioned?
Jesher is mentioned only in 1 Chronicles 2:18.
Which tribe did Jesher belong to?
He belonged to the Tribe of Judah.
Family & Relationships
Parents
Azubah, Wife of CalebMother1 Chronicles 2:18Stated
Caleb, Son of HezronFather1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
1 Chronicles 2:18 lists Jesher and Caleb among the sons of azubah, but does not say how the two of them are related.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
JesherThis page
Hur of the Tribe of JudahBrother1 Chronicles 2:18–19Stated
Acsah, Daughter of Caleb ben HezronSister1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
No verse names Jesher and Achsah together; the sister link is carried from the surrounding genealogy and is not stated in Scripture.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
ArdonBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Stated
Gazez, Grandson of CalebBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Moza and Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:46 ties Gazez to Moza; 1 Chronicles 2:46 ties Moza to Caleb; 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Caleb to Jesher (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Gazez and Jesher directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
GeshanBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Shaaph and Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:47 ties Geshan to Shaaph; 1 Chronicles 2:49 ties Shaaph to Caleb; 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Caleb to Jesher (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Geshan and Jesher directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Haran, Son of CalebBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Jesher to Caleb (itself an inferred link); 1 Chronicles 2:46 ties Caleb to Haran. No verse states the brother link between Jesher and Haran directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Jotham, Son of JahdaiBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb and Shaaph: 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Jesher to Caleb (itself an inferred link); 1 Chronicles 2:49 ties Caleb to Shaaph; 1 Chronicles 2:47 ties Shaaph to Jotham. No verse states the brother link between Jesher and Jotham directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Mesha, Son of CalebBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Jesher to Caleb (itself an inferred link); 1 Chronicles 2:42 ties Caleb to Mesha. No verse states the brother link between Jesher and Mesha directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Moza, Son of CalebBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:46 ties Moza to Caleb; 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Caleb to Jesher (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Moza and Jesher directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Pelet, Son of JahdaiBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Shaaph and Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:47 ties Pelet to Shaaph; 1 Chronicles 2:49 ties Shaaph to Caleb; 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Caleb to Jesher (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Pelet and Jesher directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
RegemBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Shaaph and Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:47 ties Regem to Shaaph; 1 Chronicles 2:49 ties Shaaph to Caleb; 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Caleb to Jesher (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Regem and Jesher directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Shaaph, Son of CalebBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:49 ties Shaaph to Caleb; 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Caleb to Jesher (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Shaaph and Jesher directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Shaaph, Son of JahdaiBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Jesher to Caleb (itself an inferred link); 1 Chronicles 2:49 ties Caleb to Shaaph. No verse states the brother link between Jesher and Shaaph directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
SheberBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:48 ties Sheber to Caleb; 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Caleb to Jesher (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Sheber and Jesher directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
ShevaBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Jesher to Caleb (itself an inferred link); 1 Chronicles 2:49 ties Caleb to Sheva. No verse states the brother link between Jesher and Sheva directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Shobab, Son of CalebBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Stated
TirhanahBrother1 Chronicles 2:18Inferred
Reconstructed through Caleb: 1 Chronicles 2:48 ties Tirhanah to Caleb; 1 Chronicles 2:18 ties Caleb to Jesher (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Tirhanah and Jesher directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 2:18
Connected Figures
Family
Mother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
The first wife of Caleb son of Hezron and the mother of Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon during the Egypt and Wilderness era's ancestral lineage.
Egypt and WildernessFirst: 1 Chronicles 2:182 versesMatriarchJudah
Father · 1 Chronicles 2:18
A prominent descendant of Judah and son of Hezron, Caleb was a foundational figure in the genealogical expansion of the Tribe of Judah during the Egyptian and wilderness eras.
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18–19
A prominent leader of the tribe of Judah who supported Moses' hands during the battle against Amalek and served as a temporary leader of Israel.
Sister · 1 Chronicles 2:18
A daughter of Caleb, son of Hezron, belonging to the tribe of Judah during the period of the Egyptian sojourn and the wilderness wanderings.
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
A descendant of Judah through the line of Caleb and a member of the generation that experienced the transition from the Egyptian sojourn to the wilderness wanderings.
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
Gazez was a member of the tribe of Judah during the Egypt and Wilderness era, identified as the son of Haran and a descendant of Caleb.
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
A descendant of the tribe of Judah listed among the sons of Jahdai in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles.
Egypt and WildernessFirst: 1 Chronicles 2:4710 versesTribal leader or head of householdJudah
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
A member of the tribe of Judah, Haran was the son of Caleb and Ephah, and the father of Gazez during the period of Israel's growth.
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
A member of the tribe of Judah and descendant of Caleb, listed as the second son of Jahdai in the genealogical records of the Egypt and Wilderness era.
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
Mesha was the firstborn son of Caleb ben Hezron within the tribe of Judah during the era of the Egyptian Sojourn and Wilderness.
Egypt and WildernessFirst: 1 Chronicles 2:4210 versesProgenitorJudah
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
Moza was a descendant of the tribe of Judah, the son of the prominent leader Caleb and his concubine Ephah.
Brother · 1 Chronicles 2:18
A descendant of Judah through the line of Caleb who is listed among the six sons of Jahdai in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles.
Categories
Mentions by Book
- 1 Chronicles7
Scripture References
All 7 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
1 Chronicles · 7
- 1 Chronicles 2:18
Caleb son of Hezron had children by his wife Azubah and by Jerioth. These were the sons of Azubah: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.
- 1 Chronicles 2:19Partial
When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 2:42Partial
The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and Mareshah his second son, who was the father of Hebron.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 2:46Partial
Caleb’s concubine Ephah was the mother of Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 2:47Partial
The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 2:48Partial
Caleb’s concubine Maacah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 2:49Partial
She was also the mother of Shaaph father of Madmannah, and of Sheva father of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Acsah.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.