אֶשְׁתּוֹן (esh.ton)
esh.ton
Eshton
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Esh-ton is a proper name appearing only twice in Scripture, both within the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4. It identifies a specific male ancestor from the tribe of Judah during the era of the Divided Monarchy. The text lists him as the son of Mehir and the father of Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, anchoring his place in the lineage of Caleb.
The name itself is traditionally interpreted to mean "effeminate" or "manly." This translation reflects a linguistic observation about its roots rather than a narrative description of the individual’s character. As a genealogical marker, it serves to preserve tribal identity and continuity within the historical record of Judah.
Its limited occurrence underscores the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, which often include figures with no further biographical details. By recording names like Esh-ton, the text maintains the integrity of family lines that trace back to the patriarchs, ensuring that even lesser-known descendants remain part of the covenant community’s history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Genealogies in Scripture often feel like long lists of names that blur together, but they carry deep significance for our faith. Esh-ton appears in 1 Chronicles 4 as part of the lineage of Judah, linking generations through a specific family line. These records were not merely administrative; they preserved the identity and covenant promises given to Israel.
For believers today, this reminds us that God values every individual within His people. Even those with little biographical detail are remembered in the divine record. This continuity shows how faithfully God keeps track of His community across time, ensuring no one is forgotten in the grand story of redemption.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Eshton1×
- Eshton1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/אֶשְׁתּ֗וֹן1×
- אֶשְׁתּֽוֹן\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 4:11
Chelub the brother of Shuhah became the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.
This verse establishes Esh-ton's place in the lineage by identifying him as the son of Mehir, connecting him to the broader tribal history of Judah.
-
I Chronicles 4:12
Eshton became the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash. These are the men of Recah.
Here the text lists his children, showing how genealogies functioned to document family expansion and social structure within the tribe.