Refah was a descendant of Ephraim, the son of Joseph, and is mentioned in the genealogies in 1 Chronicles. He is part of the Ephraimite lineage that led to significant leaders in Israel's history. Although little is known about his personal life, his place in the genealogy is important for understanding the history of the tribe of Ephraim.
17When Joseph saw that his father was placing his right hand on Ephraim's head, he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's.
19But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will be great. Yet his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations."
20So he blessed them that day, saying: "By you Israel will pronounce this blessing: 'May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'" And so he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.
21Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and also Ezer and Elead, whom the men of Gath, born in that land, killed, for they had gone down to seize their livestock.
23Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son. He named him Beriah,* because disaster had struck his house. [*Footnote: The name Beriah sounds like the Hebrew phrase meaning "in misfortune."]