Sheleph
LocationsGeographical Setting
Sheleph denotes both a patriarchal figure in Genesis 10:26-29 and the geographical territory or tribal group associated with his name in Southern Arabia.
What is the meaning of Sheleph in the Bible?
Sheleph was a son of Joktan, and the name identifies a Yemenite tribe or district in Southern Arabia.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Sheleph clarifies the biblical map of Shem's descendants, linking the genealogical record to specific regions in ancient Arabia.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Sheleph held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sheleph in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sheleph clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sheleph." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sheleph/