חַרְנֶ֫פֶר (char.ne.pher)
char.ne.pher
Harnepher
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 name ḥarnefer appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 7:36 as a member of the tribe of Asher. He is identified as the son of Zophah and part of a large family that includes brothers such as Suah and Shual. This single mention places him within the genealogical records of Israel’s northern tribes during the period leading up to the divided monarchy.
Lexicographers traditionally interpret ḥarnefer to mean "panting" or "breathing hard." While this etymology is widely accepted, the name itself does not appear in any narrative context. Consequently, its meaning remains a linguistic observation rather than a theological statement about the individual’s character or life.
Because the text offers no further details about ḥarnefer, his significance lies entirely in his inclusion in the tribal lineage. He serves as one of many names that preserve the memory of Asher’s descendants, illustrating how biblical genealogies function to maintain tribal identity and historical continuity across generations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Harnepher appears only once in Scripture, tucked inside a long list of names in 1 Chronicles 7:36. It identifies him as a son of Zophah and a member of the tribe of Asher. While we do not have stories about his daily life or specific deeds, his inclusion reminds us that God remembers every individual within His people.
Biblical genealogies are not just dry records of ancestry; they show how God preserves tribal identity and historical continuity across generations. Each name represents a real person who contributed to the lineage through which Jesus would eventually come. Your place in God’s family is just as significant, even if your story is not written in detail.
This single mention invites us to trust that God knows each of us by name. Just as Harnepher was recorded for future generations, our lives are known and valued by the Creator who sustains history. We can find comfort in knowing that no one is forgotten in His grand plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Harnepher1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/חַרְנֶ֛פֶר1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 7:36
The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
This verse lists Harnepher among the sons of Zophah, establishing his place within the tribal lineage of Asher without providing narrative context.