Abishur (Hebrew: ‘Ăḇīshūwr), whose name means “my father is a wall” or “father of the wall” (suggesting a protector or builder), is a minor figure in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, notable only for his inclusion in the detailed genealogies of the tribe of Judah found in the book of Chronicles.
Abishur: A Descendant of Judah
Abishur is firmly placed in the family tree of the tribe of Judah, the royal line from which King David and, ultimately, the Messiah would descend. He is a link in the lineage that traces back to Hezron and his son Jerahmeel.
Genealogical Context
The Scripture provides his specific family connections, which root him in one of the most significant tribes of Israel:
- Father: Shammai
- Grandfather: Onam
- Wife: Abihail
- Sons: Ahban and Molid
The only mention of Abishur is found in the first book of Chronicles, detailing the descendants of Judah through Hezron:
“And the sons of Onam were, Shammai, and Jada. And the sons of Shammai; Nadab, and Abishur. And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bare him Ahban, and Molid.” (1 Chronicles 2:28-29, KJV).
Significance in Scripture
Like many of the figures in the biblical genealogies, Abishur has no recorded narrative, military deed, or prophetic utterance. His importance lies entirely in his role as a faithful link in the covenant line. The Chronicler (the traditional author of the books of Chronicles) deliberately included these extensive family lists after the Babylonian exile to:
- Validate Tribal Identity and Land Inheritance: Abishur’s presence confirmed the right of his descendants to their family’s portion of the land within Judah.
- Affirm Covenant Continuity: His existence, along with countless others, proved the unbroken succession of the family of Judah, thus preserving the lineage through which God’s ultimate promise—the Messiah—would come. His name, “my father is a wall,” may be a quiet testimony to the security and protection that God offered to this family line.