Descendant of King David in the post-exilic period
Le retourDescendant of DavidGenealogical link in the Davidic linec. 500s BC
Arnan is a figure known exclusively from the genealogy in 1 Chronicles, where he appears in the listing of King David's descendants through the line of Zerubbabel. He is mentioned as the son of Refa and the father of Obadiah. The passage in 1 Chron 3:19–24 presents textual-critical challenges, since the Hebrew base text and the Septuaginta diverge in several details, and the precise familial connections between Zerubbabel and Arnan are subject to various interpretations. Arnan's role in the biblical narrative is to serve as a genealogical link in the Davidic royal line after the exile—a lineage that was carefully documented, likely motivated by messianic expectations that God's covenant promises to David's house would one day be fulfilled.
Arnan is mentioned in the genealogy of David's descendants in 1 Chronicles, where he is placed as the son of Refa and father of Obadiah. This family tree documents the Davidic line from King David through Zerubbabel and into the post-exilic period, testifying that the royal lineage was carefully preserved even after the kingdom of Judah had ended.
22The sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat—six.[^1]
[^1]: Only five names are listed here, though the text says six; the count may include Shemaiah himself or reflect a name lost in copying.
As part of the list of Zerubbabel's descendants, Arnan represents continuity in the Davidic family line after the return from Babylon. The genealogy likely reflects messianic expectations connected to the house of David and God's promise of an eternal throne.
22The sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat—six.[^1]
[^1]: Only five names are listed here, though the text says six; the count may include Shemaiah himself or reflect a name lost in copying.