Interesting Facts

• Hezron was the name of a son of Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn.
• Hezron was also the name of a son of Perez, who was the son of Judah. This means Jacob had a grandson named after his great-grandson, or there were two different individuals with the same name in different generations.
• The spelling of the name varies slightly between sources, appearing as both Hezron and Chezron.
• Neither Hezron son of Reuben nor Hezron/Chezron son of Perez is depicted engaging in any specific actions or having any dialogue within these excerpts. Their presence is noted primarily through genealogical listings.

Genealogy

• Hezron, son of Reuben: He was a son of Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son. His brothers were Hanoch, Pallu, and Carmi. He was born in the land of Canaan before the family’s descent into Egypt.
• Hezron/Chezron, son of Perez: He was a son of Perez, whose parents were Judah and Tamar. His brother was Hamul. Er and Onan were his uncles, being older brothers of Perez who died in Canaan. Shelah, Perez, and Zerah were his father’s brothers. He was born in the land of Canaan before the family went to Egypt.

Historical Context

Both Hezron son of Reuben and Hezron/Chezron son of Perez lived during a significant period marked by famine in Canaan, which led to Jacob and his entire household migrating to Egypt. They were part of the seventy souls who went to dwell in Egypt. This migration was orchestrated by Joseph, who had risen to a high position of power in Egypt. They settled in the land of Goshen and were sustained by Joseph throughout the years of famine. The early part of their lives would have been shaped by the hardships of the famine in Canaan and the subsequent transition to life in Egypt under Joseph’s care. They lived securely in Egypt while Joseph held a prominent role in the Egyptian government, which spanned forty years after Pharaoh’s son, Magron, took the throne.

Narrative

Neither Hezron son of Reuben nor Hezron/Chezron son of Perez has an individual narrative arc within these sources. They are mentioned solely within genealogical lists detailing the descendants of Jacob who came to Egypt. Their significance in the overarching narrative lies in their inclusion as part of the burgeoning family of Jacob that would eventually grow into a great nation in Egypt, as foretold by God. Their presence in these lists confirms their participation in this pivotal moment of Israelite history, the transition from their ancestral lands in Canaan to their sojourn in Egypt, which was divinely purposed to preserve them during the famine and set the stage for their future as a numerous people.