Women in the Bible – Atarah – Second Wife of Jerahmeel

Women in the Bible – Atarah – Second Wife of Jerahmeel

1 Chronicles 2:25-26 (ESV)

The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron: Ram, his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. Jerahmeel also had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.

The woman’s name we consider today is Atarah. She most likely was born in Egypt during Israel’s captivity. Her name comes from the Hebrew word ʿaṭārâ, which means “a crown.” We know very little about her. Neither she, nor her husband or sons are mentioned anywhere else in scripture except here where the lineage of King David is being enumerated.

Atarah’s husband, Jerahmeel, was the great-great-grandson of Jacob (also known as Israel). Jerahmeel was the brother of Ram, whose son continued the lineage that would lead to David.