daughter was Sheerah, who built Beth Horon the lower and the upper, and Uzzen Sheerah.
Context / meaning
This passage is part of the genealogy of Ephraim, one of the sons of Joseph. It contains a brief but significant mention of Sheerah, a woman credited with building cities—something quite rare in biblical records.
The genealogies in 1 Chronicles trace the descendants of Israel’s tribes, preserving family histories and highlighting key figures. In this chapter, the focus is on Ephraim’s lineage, listing his descendants and their roles in Israel’s history.
Most genealogies mention sons, but here, Ephraim’s daughter, Sheerah, stands out because she is associated with building Beth Horon (both Upper and Lower) and another place called Uzzen Sheerah. This suggests she played a significant role in establishing or fortifying these cities.
- "His daughter was Sheerah, who built Beth Horon the lower and the upper, and Uzzen Sheerah" (v. 24)
Sheerah is a remarkable woman in Scripture, as few women are directly credited with achievements like city-building.
Beth Horon (Upper and Lower) was a key location in Israel’s history, serving as an important military route between Jerusalem and the coastal plains.
Uzzen Sheerah is mentioned only here, and its exact location is unknown, but it is named after her, suggesting her influence in the region.
Sheerah’s inclusion in this genealogy highlights the important (though often overlooked) contributions of women in Israel’s history.
- "Rephah was his son, and Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son." (v. 25)
This verse continues listing Ephraim’s descendants, emphasizing the ongoing legacy of his family. While the men in this list don’t have detailed stories attached to them, their presence reflects the importance of maintaining records of God’s people.
Significance of Sheerah in Biblical History
Sheerah’s mention is unique because:
- She is one of the few women in biblical genealogies acknowledged for building cities.
- Her name being linked to places suggests she had authority or influence in settlement and infrastructure.
- Beth Horon became a historically important site—Joshua 10:10-11 describes how God helped Israel defeat the Amorites there.
- Sheerah’s story, though brief, demonstrates that women played key roles in shaping Israel’s history, even in areas like city planning and leadership.
Application: What Can We Learn?
God values the contributions of all His people, including women, in history.
Faithful obedience leads to lasting impact—Sheerah’s work influenced generations after her.
We may not always have detailed records of our works, but God remembers what we do for His kingdom.
Conclusion: 1 Chronicles 7:24-25 highlights the genealogy of Ephraim and uniquely mentions Sheerah, a woman credited with building cities. Though her story is short, her influence was lasting, showing that God works through both men and women to shape history. This passage reminds us that faithfulness and leadership come in many forms, and every contribution in God’s plan is valuable.
1 Chronicles 7:24-25. His [Ephraim's] daughter was Sheerah, who built Beth Horon the lower and the upper, and Uzzen Sheerah.
build - female - woman
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible