Epher

The name Epher belongs to three distinct figures in the genealogical lists — a Midianite descendant of Abraham through Keturah, a son of Ezrah in Judah's line, and a Manassite clan-head.

Son of Midian

Epher appears among the sons of Midian, who is himself born to Abraham and Keturah. The Genesis record names them: "And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah" (Gen 25:4). The Chronicles parallel preserves the same list: "And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah" (1Ch 1:33).

Son of Ezrah

A second Epher appears in the Judahite genealogies of Chronicles, listed among the sons of Ezrah: "And the sons of Ezrah: Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon; and she became pregnant with Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa" (1Ch 4:17).

A Chief in Manasseh

A third Epher heads a clan in the half-tribe of Manasseh that settled east of the Jordan: "And these were the heads of their fathers' houses: even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses" (1Ch 5:24).