Telah was a descendant of Ephraim, the son of Joseph, and is mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Ephraim in 1 Chronicles. He is part of the genealogical line that leads to Joshua (Hosea), the son of Nun. Little is known about his life beyond his place in the family register.
The tribe of Ephraim experienced tragedies, including the loss of sons who were killed by men from Gath. Telah is part of the lineage that continued Ephraim's line after this event.
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."]