Minor People of the Bible
An index containing brief descriptions of minor people in the Bible.
A
Abihail
Numbers 3:35
Abihail is a descendant of Merari, the son of Levi. His son Zriel is made chief of the tribe of Merari after the first census.
Abihu
Exodus 24:1,9; 28:1
Abihu is one of Aaron's sons. He is part of the priestly lineage of the Israelites.
Abimael
Genesis 10:28
Abimael is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Abimelech
Genesis 20; 21:22-34; 26:6-11, 26-35
Abimelech is the King of Gerar. Both Isaac and Abraham deceive him and his people by telling him their wives are their sisters. Both Abraham and Issac also make covenants with Abimelech concerning the rights to wells that have been dug.
Abiram
Numbers 16:1,12,24-27; 26:9; Deuteronomy 11:6; 1 Kings 16:34; Psalm 106:17
Abriram was a descendant of Reuben. He, Korah, and Dathan led a rebellion against Moses. God punished them and the were swallowed by the Earth.
Achan
Joshua 7; 22:20
Achan disobeys God after the battle of Jericho and keeps spoils of war for himself. His disobedience is in part to blame for Israel losing their first battle with Ai and thus indirectly linked to the death of the 26 soldiers who die in battle. Achan is killed for his sin along with his family, for their compliance. Achan was from the tribe of Judah.
Adah
Genesis 4:19-20, 23; 36:2, 10, 12
There are two Adahs mentioned in Genesis. The first Adah is one Lamech's two wives (Lamech the descendant of Cain). She has two sons—Jubal and Jabal. She and Zillah are the first two women to be discussed by name after Eve. The second Adah is a Hittite woman and the daughter of Elon. She is one of Esau's wives. It is unknown if Adah is a new name for Esau's wife Bashemath, who is described as the daughter of Elon the Hittite in Genesis 26:34 or if Adah is her sister.
Adonizedek
Joshua 10:1, 3
Adonizedek was the king of Jerusalem. He instigates an alliance with the southern kingdoms of Canaan to fight Gibeon and Israel. He is defeated and killed by Joshua.
Almodad
Genesis 10:26
Almodad is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Amram
Exodus 6:18,20
Amram is Moses's father. He lives to be 137 years old. Amram is also the father of Miriam and Aaron
Anamim
Genesis 10:13
Anamim is the son of Mizraim, the son of Ham, and thus the grandson of Noah.
Aram
Genesis 10:22-23
Aram is one of Shem's sons. Through him are the Aramaeans, Syrians, and Lebanese. It is possible his name is the root of the word Aramaic.
Arphaxad
Genesis 10:22,24; 11:10-13
Arphaxad is one of Shem's sons; it is through his descendants that Abraham is born. One of his descendants is Eber, the namesake for the word Hebrew, as well.
Ashkenaz
Genesis 10:2; 1 Chronicles 1:6; Jeremiah 51:27
Ashkenaz is the son of Gomer and the grandson of Japheth. His name is often attributed to Germans and likely provides the namesake for the term "Ashkenazi" associated with many Jews today.
Asshur
Genesis 10:22
Asshur is one of Shem's sons. His descendant become the Assyrians
B
Balak
Numbers 22-23; Joshua 24:9; Judges 11:25; Micah 6:5
Balak was the king of Moab. He summons Balaam to curse Israel and is upset when Balaam refuses to do so. This does not stop him from attempting to defeat Israel and eventually he is defeated in war.
Bashemath
Genesis 26:34; 36:3, 13
There are two Bashemaths mentioned in Genesis. Both Bashemaths are mentioned as one of Esau's wives. The first Basemath is mentioned in Genesis 26, and is the daughter of Elon the Hittite. She marries Esau when he is 40 years old. It is unknown if Adah is a new name for the Bashemath mentioned in Genesis 26:34 or if Adah is her sister. The second Bashemath is introduced in Genesis 36:3 and is the daughter of Ishmael. It is unknown if this is a name change (like Sarai to Sarah or Jacob to Israel) for Ishmael's daughter Mahalath mentioned in Genesis 28:9 or if she is the sister Mahalath.
Bilhah
Genesis 30:3-8; 33:1-2
Bilhah is the handmaid of Rachel. When Rachel cannot conceive, she gives Bilhah to Jacob so that she may obtain children through Bilhah. Bilhah has 2 son, Dan and Naphtali.
C
Cainan
Genesis 5:9-10,12-14
Cainan is the son of Enos, thus making him the grandson of Seth and the great-grandson of Adam and Eve. The name Cainan is closely linked to Cain and may mean "metal worker[1]." Cainan lives to be 910 and has a son named Mahalaleel.
Caphtorim
Genesis 10:14
Caphtorim is the son of Mizraim, the son of Ham, and thus the great-grandson of Noah.
Carmi
Genesis 46:9; Exodus 6:14; Numbers 26:6; Joshua 7:1,18; 1 Chronicles 2:7; 4:1; 5:3
There are two Carmis. One Carmi is a son of Rueben, the other is a son of Judah. Carmi, of the tribe of Judah, is descended from Zabdi and Zerah; he has a son name Achan. His descendants are called Carmites.
Casluhim
Genesis 10:14
Casluhim is the son of Mizraim, the son of Ham, and thus the great-grandson of Noah.
D
Dathan
Numbers 16:1,12,24-27; 26:9 Deuteronomy 11:6; 1 Kings 16:34; Psalm 106:17
Dathan was a descendant of Reuben. He, Korah, and Abiram led a rebellion against Moses. God punished them and the were swallowed by the Earth.
Debir
Joshua 10:3
Debir was the king of Eglon. He was part of the southern alliance in Canaan that came against Israel. He was killed with the other kings of the alliance after being defeated by Joshua. Debir is also the name of several cities.
Deborah
Genesis 35:8; Judges 4-5
There are two Deborah's in the Bible. The first Deborah appears in Genesis; she is Rebekah's nurse. The second appears in Judges. The Deborah of Judges is a prophetess who judges Israel.
Diklah
Genesis 10:27
Diklah is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Dinah
Genesis 30:21; 34
Dinah is the only daughter of Jacob; her mother is Leah. She is defiled by Shechem in Genesis 34 and her brothers (Simeon and Levi) take revenge upon the city. It is debated whether Shechem's action was rape or simply pre-martial sex. To learn more, read The Tragedy of Dinah section of the post covering Jacob's days.
E
Eber
Genesis 10:24-25
Eber is a descendant of Shem through Arphaxad, and the son of Salah. He has two sons Joktan and Peleg. Abraham is descended through Peleg. Eber is thought to be the namesake of the work Hebrew.
Elam
Genesis 10:22
Elam is one of Shem's sons and the progenitor of the Elamites and Persians.
Eleazar
Exodus 6:23,25; 28:1; Leviticus 10:6,12,16
Eleazar is one of Aaron's sons. He is part of the priestly lineage of the Israelites.
Eliasaph
Numbers 3:24
Eliasaph is a Levite from the tribe of Gershon. He is the son of Lael and becomes chief of the Gershonites after the first census.
Eliezer
Genesis 15:2; Exodus 18:4
There are two Eliezers in the Bible. The most notable, is the second and youngest son of Moses and Zipporah. The other is the servant of Abraham whom is mentioned when Abraham believes he will have to leave all of his belongings to this man since he has not yet produced an heir.
Elisheba
Exodus 6:23
Elisheba is the wife of Aaron. She is the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Naashon
Elizaphan
Numbers 3:30
Elizaphan (the Levite) is the son of Uzziel. He is appointed chief of the Kohathites after the first census. There is also an Elizaphan of the tribe of Zebulun. He is the son of Parnach and the prince of the tribe of Zebulun.
Enos
Genesis 4:26, 5:6-7, 9-11
Enos is the son of Seth, thus making him the grandson of Adam and Eve. The name Enos means humanity. Enos lives to be 815 and has a son named Cainan.
G
Gershom
Exodus 2:22; 4:24-26; 18:3
Gershom is the first born son of Moses. He and Moses are almost killed by God when Moses does not honor the Abrahamic covenant and circumcise Gershom at 8 days old. Zipporah, Moses's wife and Gershom's mother, intervenes to perform the circumcision saving both lives.
Gether
Genesis 10:23
Gether is the son of Aram and the grandson of Shem.
Gomer
Genesis 10:2-3
Gomer is one of Japheth's sons. Gomer has 3 sons: Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
H
Haran
Genesis 11:26-31
Haran is the son of Terah, a descendant of Noah's son Shem, brother to Abraham, and the father of Lot. We are not told much about Haran, except that he dies before his father in Ur.
Hadoram
Genesis 10:27
Hadoram is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Hanoch
Genesis 25:4; Genesis 46:9; Exodus 6:14; Numbers 26:5; 1 Chronicles 5:3
There are two Hanochs in the Bible. One Hanoch is a son of Rueben, while the other is a son of Midian. The descendants of Hanoch from Reuben are called Hanochites.
Havilah
Genesis 10:7, 29
There are two Havilahs in the Bible. The first is a son of Cush and a descendant of Ham. The second Havilah is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Hazarmaveth
Genesis 10:26
Hazarmaveth is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Hezron
Genesis 46:9,12; Exodus 6:14; Numbers 26:6,21
Hezron is a son of Rueben. His descendants are called Hezronites (in addition to being the house of Rueben). Judah's son Pharez also has a son named Hezron (I wonder if Pharez named his son after is cousin?).
Hoham
Joshua 10:3
Hoham was the king of Hebron. He joined the southern kingdoms of Canaan in an alliance against Gibeon and Israel. He was defeated and killed by Joshua.
Hul
Genesis 10:23
Hul is the son of Aram and the grandson of Shem.
I
Irad
Genesis 4:18
Irad is the grandson of Cain through Cain's son Enoch. He is the father of Mehujael and the great-grandfather of Lamech (the murderer, not the father of Noah). Unlike the descendants of Seth, we are not given the number of years Cain's descendants lived.
Ithamar
Exodus 6:23; 28:1; 38:21; Leviticus 10:6,12,16
Ithamar is one of Aaron's sons. He is part of the priestly lineage of the Israelites.
J
Jared
Genesis 5:15-16, 18-20
Jared is the son of Mahalaleel, thus making him the grandson of Cainan and the great-grandson of Enos. Jared lives 962 years (he has the second longest life span of those we are given). He is the father of Enoch.
Jabal
Genesis 4:20
Jabal is the son of Lamech (Cain's descendant) and Adah. Jabal is described as the father of those who dwell in tents and those who have cattle. It is thought that he advanced the abilities of nomadic herdsmen. He is the brother of Jubal, and the half-brother of Tubal-cain and Naamah.
Jabin
Joshua 11:1; Judge 4:2, 7, 17, 23-24
Jabin was king of Hazor. He united the northern kingdoms of Canaan against Israel. He is defeated by Joshua
Jachin
Genesis 46:10; Exodus 6:15; Numbers 26:12; 1 Kings 7:21; 1 Chronicles 9:10; 24:17; 2 Chronicles 3:17; Nehamiah 11:10
There are two Jachins in the Bible. The first Jachin is a son of Simeon; his descendants are called Jachinites. The other is a descendant of Levi and a part of the priesthood.
Jamin
Genesis 46:10; Exodus 6:15; Numbers 26:12; 1 Chronicles 2:27; 4:24; Nehamiah 8:7
There are two Jamins in the Bible. The first Jamin is a son of Simeon; his descendants are called Jaminites. The other is a son of Ram.
Japhia
Joshua 10:3
Japhia was the king of Lachish. He joined the southern kingdoms of Canaan in an alliance against Gibeon and Israel. He was defeated and killed by Joshua.
Javan
Genesis 10:2,4
Javan is one of the sons of Japheth. Javan has 4 sons: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim
Jemuel
Genesis 46:10; Exodus 6:15
Jemuel is a son of Simeon; he carries on the tribe of Simeon.
Jerah
Genesis 10:26
Jerah is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Jobab
Genesis 10:29
Jobab is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem. There is also a Jobab who is the king of Madon. Jobab king of Madon is part of the northern alliance against Israel and is defeated by Joshua.
Jochebed
Exodus 6:20
Jochebed is the wife of Amram and the mother of Moses, Miriam, and Aaron.
Joktan
Genesis 10:25-26, 29
Joktan is the son of Eber and brother to Peleg. He is a descendant of Shem. Joktan has 13 sons who dwell from Mesha unto Sephar, a mount of the east.
Jubal
Genesis 4:21
Jubal is the son of Lamech (Cain's descendant) and Adah. He is described as the father of those who handle harps and organs. He is thus thought to have advanced the musical capabilities of society.He is the brother of Jabal, and the half-brother of Tubal-cain and Naamah.
Judith
Genesis 26:24
Judith is the daughter of Beeri the Hittite and the wife of Esau. She marries Esau when he is 40 years old and it is implied that she is his first wife (as she is the first name listed). She is not mentioned in Genesis 36, when Esau's descendants are listed. There are many theories on this matter. The most likely scenario is that she did not have any children and was thus omitted. Read the post on Genesis 23-36 for more information.
K
Keturah
Genesis 25:1
Keturah is the name of the wife Abraham takes after Sarah's death. She has 6 sons: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Midian is likely the namesake of the city of Midian where Moses meets his wife.
Kohath
Exodus 6:16,18
Kohath is a son of Levi and ancestor of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Kohath lives 133 years. He has for sons, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
Korah
Genesis 36:5,14,16,18; Exodus 6:21,24; Numbers 16:1,12,24-27; 26:9 Deuteronomy 11:6; 1 Kings 16:34; Psalm 106:17
The Korah mentioned in Genesis, is the son of Esau. In Exodus, Korah is a descendant of Levi and the son of Izhar. Korah has 3 sons: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. His descendants are known as the Korhites. In Numbers, Korah leads a rebellion against Moses with Dathan and Abiram. God punishes them by allowing the Earth to swallow them
L
Laban
Genesis 24:29-31; 29:5-30; 31
Laban is the son of Bethuel and the brother of Rachel. This makes him the grandson of Abraham's brother Nahor. He is also the father of Jacob's wives Rachel and Leah. He and Jacob have a rocky relationship due to Laban's constant deception.
Lael
Numbers 3:24
Lael is a Levite and a son of Gershon. His son Eliasaph becomes chief of the Gershonites.
Lehabim
Genesis 10:13
Lehabim is the son of Mizraim, the son of Ham, and thus the great-grandson of Noah.
Lud
Genesis 10:22
Lud is one of Shem's sons.
Ludim
Genesis 10:13
Ludhim is the son of Mizraim, the son of Ham, and thus the great-grandson of Noah.
M
Mahalaleel
Genesis 5:12-13, 15-17
Mahalaleel is the son of Cainan, thus making him the grandson of Enos and the great-grandson of Seth. The translation of this name is probably "one who praises God[1]." Mahalaleel lives to be 895 and has a son named Jared.
Madai
Genesis 10:2
Madai is one of Japheth's sons. He is the grandson of Noah.
Magog
Genesis 10:2
Magog is one of Japheth's sons. He is the grandson of Noah.
Mash
Genesis 10:23
Mash is the son of Aram and the grandson of Shem.
Mehujael
Genesis 4:18
Mehujael is the great-grandson of Cain; his father is Irad, son of Enoch. He is the father of Methusael and the grandfather of Lamech (the murderer, not the father of Noah). Unlike the descendants of Seth, we are not given the number of years Cain's descendants lived.
Melchizedek
Genesis 14:18-20
Melchizedek is the king of Salem and a priest of God. He blesses Abraham and Abraham gives him tithes marking the first mentioning of tithes in the Bible.
Meshech
Genesis 10:2
Meshech is one of Japheth's sons. He is the grandson of Noah.
Methusael
Genesis 4:18
Methusael is the great-great-grandson of Cain; his father is Mehujael, son of Irad. He is the father of the grandfather of Lamech (the murderer, not the father of Noah). Unlike the descendants of Seth, we are not given the number of years Cain's descendants lived.
Methuselah
Genesis 5:21-22, 25-27
Methuselah is the son of Enoch and a descendant of Seth. He lives to be the oldest man recorded in history, living a total of 969 years. This is where the phrase "old as Methuselah" comes from. He is also the the father of Lamech and the grandfather of Noah.
Milcah
Genesis 11:29; 22:23
Milcah is the daughter of Haran, the sister of Lot and Iscah. Milcah marries Nahor(her uncle) and has 8 sons: Huz, Buz, Kemuel, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Betheul.
Miriam
Exodus 2:4; 15:20-21
Miriam is from the tribe of Levi and the older sister of Moses. She is the first woman in the Bible to be called a prophet. She is the daughter of Amram and Jochebed
Mizraim
Genesis 10:6,13
Mizraim is the son of Ham, and thus the grandson of Noah. Mizraim is also the Hebrew word for Egypt. Mizraim has 7 sons: Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim, and Caphtorum. Mizraim's grandson is Philistim.
N
Naamah
Genesis 4:22
The daughter of Lamech (Cain's descendant) and Zillah. Her brother is Tubal-cain, and her half-brothers are Jabal and Jubal.
Nadab
Exodus 6:23; 24:1,9; 28:1; Leviticus 10:1-2
Nadab is one of Aaron's sons. He is part of the priestly lineage of the Israelites. Nadab is killed by the fire of God, for offering strange fire on God's altar.
Nahor
Genesis 11:24-27, 29
There are two Nahor's mentioned in Genesis 11, both descendants of Noah's son Shem. The first Nahor is the son of Serug, the father of Terah, and lives 148 years. The second Nahor is the grandson of the first Nahor; he is the son of Terah, the brother of Abram/Abraham, and the uncle of Lot. Abraham sends his servant to this Nahor to find Issac's wife, Rebekah, who is the Nahor's granddaughter.
Naphtuhim
Genesis 10:13
Naphtuhim is the son of Mizraim is the son of Ham, and thus the great-grandson of Noah.
Nebajoth
Genesis 28:9, 36:3
Nebajoth is the son of Ishmael and the brother of Mahalath and Bashemath.
O
Obal
Genesis 10:28
Obal is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Og
Numbers 21:23; 32:33; Deuteronomy 3:1, 3-4, 10-11, 13; 4:47; 29:7; 31:4; Joshua 2:10; 9:10; 12:4; 13:12, 30-31; 1 Kings 4:19; Nehemiah 9:22; Psalm 135:11
Og was the king of Bashan. He was defeated by Moses.
Ohad
Genesis 46:10; Exodus 6:15
There are two Jachins in the Bible. The first Jachin is a son of Simeon; his descendants are called Jachinites. The other is a descendant of Levi and a part of the priesthood.
Ophir
Genesis 10:29
Ophir is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
P
Pallu/Phallu
Genesis 46:9; Exodus 6:14; Numbers 26:5,8; 1 Chronicles 5:3
Pallu is a son of Rueben. Pallu has a son named Eliab; his descendants are called Palluites.
Pathrusim
Genesis 10:14
Pathrusim is the son of Mizraim, the son of Ham, and thus the grandson of Noah.
Peleg
Genesis 10:25; 11:16-19
Peleg is the son of Eber, a descendant of Shem and the brother of Joktan. The Earth is divided in Peleg's day (possibly a reference to the tower of Babel). Abraham is one of Peleg's descendants. Peleg has a son named Reu and lives to be 239 years old.
Philistim
Genesis 10:14
Philistim is the son of Casluhim, the grandson Mizraim and the the great-grandson of Ham.
Piram
Joshua 10:3
Piram was the king of Jarmuth. He joined the southern kingdoms of Canaan in an alliance against Gibeon and Israel. He was defeated and killed by Joshua.
Puah
Exodus 1:15-21
Puah is one of the Hebrew midwives the new king instructs to kill male babies. She does not comply and is later blessed by God.
Phut
Genesis 10:6
Phut is on one of Ham's son and a grandchild of Noah.
R
Rebekah
Genesis 24; 25:20-21,28; 26:7-8,35; 27:6,11,15,42,46; 28:5; 29:12; 35:8; 49:1
Rebekah is the daughter of Bethuel and Milcah, the granddaughter of Nahor, and sister of Laban. She marries Abraham's son Isaac, for whom she bares a set of twins: Jacob and Esau. Rebekah helps Jacob trick Isaac into giving him Esau's blessing.
Reu
Genesis 11:18-21
Reu is the son of Peleg and a descendant of Shem. Reu has a son named Serug. It is through this son that Abraham descends. Reu lives to be 239 years old.
Riphath
Genesis 10:3; 1 Chronicles 1:6
Riphath is the son of Gomer and the grandson of Japheth.
S
Salah
Genesis 10:24; 11:12-15
Salah is the son of Arphaxad and the grandson of Shem. It is through him that Abraham descends. Salah's son Eber is thought to be the namesake of the word Hebrew. Salah lives to be 433 years old.
Serug
Genesis 11:20-23
Serug is the son of Reu and a descendant of Shem. His son Nahor is Abraham's grandfather. He lives to be 230 years old.
Sheba
Genesis 10:28
Sheba is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Shaul
Genesis 46:10; Exodus 6:15; Numbers 26:13; 1 Chronicles 1:48-49; 4:24; 6:24
Shaul is a son of Simeon; his descendants are called Shaulites.
Sheleph
Genesis 10:26
Sheleph is a son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem.
Shiphrah
Exodus 1:15-21
Shiphrah is one of the Hebrew midwives the new king instructs to kill male babies. She does not comply and is later blessed by God.
T
Terah
Genesis 11:24-32
Terah is the son of Nahor, a descendant of Noah's son Shem, and the father of Abram/Abraham, Nahor, and Haran. Terah lives to be 205 years old. He is the first person mentioned in the Bible that has to bury a child, as his son Haran dies before him.
Tiras
Genesis 10:2
Tiras is on of Japheth's sons and the grandson of Noah.
Togarmah
Genesis 10:3; 1 Chronicles 1:6; Ezekiel 27:15; 38:6
Togarmah is the son of Gomer and the grandson of Japheth.
Tubal
Genesis 10:2
Tubal is on of Japheth's sons and the grandson of Noah.
Tubal-cain
Genesis 4:22
Tubal-cain is the son of Lamech (descendant of Cain) and Zillah. He is described as being a master at shaping brass and iron. He is the brother of Naamah and the half-brother of Jubal and Jabal.
U
Uz
Genesis 10:23
Uz is the son of Aram and the grandson of Shem.
Uzal
Genesis 10:27
Uzal is the son of Joktan, a descendant of Shem.
Uzziel
Exodus 6:18,22
Uzziel is a Levite descendant and the son of Kohath. He has 3 sons: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri.
Z
Zillah
Genesis 4:19, 22-23
Zillah is one of Lamech's two wives (Lamech that is a descendant of Cain). She has one son, Tubal-cain, and one daughter, Naamah. She and Adah are the first women, after Eve, to be introduced and discussed by name.
Zilpah
Genesis 20:9-13; 33:1-2
Zilpah is Leah's handmaid. Leah eventually gives her to Jacob to be his wife, so that as surrogate, Leah and Jacob can obtain more children. Zilpah has 2 sons, Gad and Asher, for Jacob.
Zipporah
Exodus 2:21-22
Zipporah is the wife of Moses. She has two sons, Gershom and Eliezer
Zohar
Genesis 23:18; 25:9; 46:10; Exodus 6:15
There is a Zohar the Hittite mentioned early in Genesis, then Zohar the son of Simeon.
Zuriel
Numbers 3:35
Zuriel is a Levite descended from Levi's son Merari and is the son of Abihail. After the first census, Zuriel is made chief of the tribe of Merari.
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