Saraph
“Burning or noble one”
Summary
A descendant of Shelah, son of Judah, who had dominion in Moab during an early period of Israel's history.
☩Identity
Saraph is named among the sons or descendants of Shelah, the son of Judah. He appears to have lived around the time of the Exodus, as the genealogical record notes that he 'had dominion in Moab.' This suggests an early migration of some Judahites into Moabite territory, though the circumstances are unclear.
☩Tradition
In the Targum of R. Joseph, Joash and Saraph are identified with Mahlon and Chilion, the sons of Elimelech who 'married' (Hebrew baal) in Moab—the same Mahlon and Chilion from the book of Ruth. This identification is based on the phrase 'who had dominion in Moab,' reading the Hebrew as a reference to marriage rather than political rule.
Related Verses1 mention
1 Chronicles· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Saraph," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Saraph," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).