אַחֵר (a.cher)
a.cher
Aher
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The proper noun Aher refers to a specific individual from the tribe of Benjamin during the era of the Divided Monarchy. He appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, listed in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 7:12 as the father of Hushim.
Lexical sources note that the name is etymologically linked to the Hebrew word for "other" or "following." However, scholars consider both the identification and the precise meaning of this personal name quite doubtful. The connection to the common noun suggests a descriptive origin, but its exact significance in this context remains unclear.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Aher appears in a brief genealogical list within 1 Chronicles 7:12. It is recorded as the father of Hushim, placing him among the descendants of Benjamin during the time of the Divided Monarchy. While the word itself can mean "other" or "different," its use here as a proper name has uncertain origins. Scholars debate whether it describes a characteristic of the individual or simply serves as a family identifier.
For your faith, this entry reminds us that God’s plan includes ordinary people whose names are preserved in Scripture. Even when a name’s exact meaning is unclear or debated, its presence in the biblical record affirms that every lineage matters to God. We do not need to have all the answers about history to trust that He remembers His people.
Genealogies like this one connect us to the broader story of Israel. They show that God works through families and generations. When we read these lists, we are invited to appreciate the continuity of faith across time. It is a quiet assurance that our own place in God’s story is held securely, even if the details are not fully visible to us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Aher1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַחֵֽר\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 7:12
So were Shuppim, Huppim, the sons of Ir, Hushim, and the sons of Aher.
This verse lists Aher as a father in the Benjaminite lineage, preserving his name as part of the tribal record.