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Zophah

biblical_person theological_term standard

Zophah is a minor biblical proper name appearing in the Asher genealogy in 1 Chronicles 7:35.

At a Glance

A biblical proper name for a little-known man in Israel's genealogies.

Key Points

Description

Zophah is not a theological concept but a personal name preserved in the Old Testament genealogies. In 1 Chronicles 7:35 he appears in the Asher line, within the Chronicler's broader interest in tribal continuity and covenant history. Because the biblical text gives no narrative about his life, Zophah is best treated as a historical and genealogical figure rather than a doctrinal topic. The entry is useful as a record of Scripture's careful preservation of names within Israel's family lines.

Biblical Context

The Chronicler includes Zophah in a list of descendants connected with Asher. Such genealogies serve to trace family identity, tribal memory, and continuity within Israel's covenant history.

Historical Context

1 Chronicles was compiled to preserve Israel's identity and heritage after the exile, and genealogical lists helped anchor the returned community in its ancestral lines. Zophah belongs to that historical memory, though nothing else is known about him.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In ancient Israel, genealogies were not merely formal records; they supported tribal identity, inheritance, and continuity among the people of God. Zophah appears as one of the many named individuals preserved in that setting.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Zophah is a Hebrew proper name. Its exact etymology is uncertain, and the biblical text does not explain the name's meaning.

Theological Significance

Zophah's significance is indirect: he stands as part of Scripture's witness to God's preservation of families, tribes, and historical memory within Israel.

Philosophical Explanation

Proper names in genealogies remind readers that biblical revelation is grounded in real history and real persons, not abstract ideas alone.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not turn Zophah into a theological category or draw doctrinal conclusions from the name itself. The text identifies him only as a genealogical figure.

Major Views

There are no major interpretive disputes about Zophah; the main issue is simply recognizing him as a minor person named in a genealogy.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry is descriptive rather than doctrinal. It should not be used to build theology beyond the general truth that Scripture preserves real historical names and family lines.

Practical Significance

Zophah's inclusion encourages readers to value the smaller, easily overlooked details of Scripture and to see that God preserves even obscure names in his historical record.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Zophah

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