Abishur

Biblical Record

Abishur appears only in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles 2. In the Korean Revised Version, his name occurs in two verses.

• 1 Chronicles 2:28 reads, "And the sons of Onam were, Shammai, and Jada. And the sons of Shammai; Nadab, and Abishur." Onam was the son whom Jerahmeel had by another wife, Atarah (1 Chronicles 2:26). Jerahmeel was a son of Hezron, Judah's grandson (1 Chronicles 2:9). Abishur therefore belongs to the line that runs Judah → Perez → Hezron → Jerahmeel → Onam → Shammai.
• 1 Chronicles 2:29 records that his wife's name was Abihail and that she bore him Ahban and Molid.

The text records nothing about his life or deeds. The verses that immediately follow, 1 Chronicles 2:30–33, go on to list the descendants of his brother Nadab and his uncle Jada. No further descendants of Ahban and Molid are mentioned.

Significance in Scripture

Abishur's name represents one branch of "the sons of Jerahmeel" (1 Chronicles 2:33) in the genealogies of Chronicles. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles 1–9 are understood as the post-exilic community's account of the roots of the twelve tribes of Israel and of the house of David. Abishur is recorded as one link in that lineage. His name does not appear in the New Testament.

Interpretation and Discussion

The Hebrew name is usually interpreted to mean "my father is a wall" (or "a rock"). However, drawing conclusions about his faith or character from the meaning of his name goes beyond what the text records.

Some interpreters draw attention to the fact that 1 Chronicles 2:29 gives the name of his wife, Abihail, along with that of her husband, since women's names appear relatively often in the genealogies of Chronicles. This Abihail is distinct from others of the same name, such as Abihail the father of Esther.

In the Korean Church

Abishur is not a figure who receives separate treatment in sermons or Sunday school lessons. His name is encountered mainly when reading the genealogies of 1 Chronicles while reading through the Bible.