Meonothai

At a Glance

An obscure biblical individual known only from a genealogical mention.

Key Points

• A minor person in the Old Testament
• Appears in Judah’s genealogy
• Scripture gives no biography beyond the name

Description

Meonothai is an obscure Old Testament personal name that appears in the genealogical record of Judah in 1 Chronicles. Scripture provides no narrative biography, only a line of descent, so the safest treatment is to recognize Meonothai as a biblical person whose significance lies in the preservation of covenant history rather than in any direct doctrinal teaching. Because the name occurs in genealogical material, interpreters should avoid speculation and should not force theological meaning beyond the text itself.

Biblical Context

The book of Chronicles frequently records family lines to preserve Israel’s tribal and covenant identity. Meonothai appears in that setting as part of Judah’s genealogical record.

Historical Context

Chronicles reflects an interest in maintaining memory of families, clans, and lines of descent, especially for readers living after earlier national upheavals. A brief name like Meonothai belongs to that larger historical purpose.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In ancient Israel, genealogies helped locate a person within a tribe, family, and covenant community. Even obscure names in these lists served the biblical purpose of preserving identity and continuity.

Primary Key Texts

• 1 Chronicles 4:14

Original Language Note

A Hebrew personal name preserved in the genealogical text of 1 Chronicles; the name is obscure and otherwise unexplained in Scripture.

Theological Significance

Meonothai has little direct theological content of its own, but the name contributes to the Bible’s careful preservation of covenant history and family lines.

Philosophical Explanation

This entry illustrates how Scripture often includes ordinary individuals without narrative detail. The value of the name is not in biography but in its place within the inspired record.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not build doctrine or biography from a single genealogical mention. The text does not provide enough information to identify Meonothai beyond his place in the genealogy.

Major Views

There is no major interpretive debate about the basic identification of Meonothai; the main issue is simply the obscurity of the name and the brevity of the biblical notice.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry should not be used to infer hidden meanings, elaborate typology, or doctrinal claims beyond the plain genealogical context.

Practical Significance

Meonothai reminds readers that God’s Word preserves even obscure people within redemptive history, showing the care with which Scripture records covenant memory.

Related Entries

• Judah
• Chronicles
• Genealogy
• Othniel

See Also

• 1 Chronicles
• Judah
• genealogy