“And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed.” — 1 Chronicles 2:37 (KJV)
The Identity of Ephlal
Ephlal was a descendant of the tribe of Judah, specifically within the family of Hezron and the branch of Jerahmeel. While his name appears in a list of genealogical successions, his existence is the fulfillment of a unique story involving the inclusion of a foreigner into the chosen lineage of Israel.
The Ancestry of Ephlal: An Egyptian Grafting
To understand who Ephlal was, one must look at the specific history of his household. He was the great-great-grandson of Sheshan.
- The Crisis of Lineage: Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. In the ancient world, this threatened the continuation of the family name and inheritance.
- The Provision: Sheshan had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. In a remarkable display of legal and familial grace, Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha to wife.
- The Progeny: This union produced Attai, who begat Nathan, who begat Zabad, who was the father of Ephlal.
Through this arrangement, Ephlal (despite having an Egyptian ancestor) was legally and spiritually a full member of the tribe of Judah, the tribe of the Messiah.
The Meaning of the Name
The name Ephlal (Hebrew: אֶפְלָל) is derived from the root palal, which means “to judge,” “to intercede,” or “to pray.” * The Character of a Judge: Some scholars translate the name specifically as “Judgment” or “Intercessor.” * The Tribal Role: Within the tribe of Judah—which was destined to produce the lawgivers and the Ultimate Judge—the name Ephlal signifies the judicial and prayerful responsibility of the people of God.
His Place in the Register
Ephlal is primarily recognized as the father of Obed.
Note: This is not the same Obed who was the grandfather of King David (the son of Ruth and Boaz), but rather a kinsman within the same tribe who shared the name meaning “servant” or “worshipper.”
The Forensic Legacy
Ephlal stands as a testament to God’s Sovereign Grace. He represents the breaking down of walls between Jew and Gentile long before the New Testament era. Through a fatherless household and an Egyptian servant, God preserved a lineage that would contribute to the strength and expansion of the tribe of Judah. Ephlal reminds us that in the King’s record, every “link in the chain” is vital, and no background is too humble to be used for the preservation of the Covenant.