Interesting Facts

• Heber, also appearing as Cheber, was a grandson of Asher, one of the sons of Jacob.
• He is listed among the offspring born before the descent into Egypt.
• There are no specific actions or dialogues attributed to Heber/Cheber in these sources. His significance is primarily genealogical.
• He is mentioned as one of the sons of Beriah, alongside Malchiel.

Genealogy

• Heber/Cheber was the son of Beriah.
• Beriah was a son of Asher.
• Asher was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel).
• Heber/Cheber’s grandfather on his father’s side was Jacob, and his great-grandparents were Isaac and Rebekah, and Abraham and Sarah.
• He had at least one brother, Malchiel, as they are both listed as sons of Beriah. His uncles were Jimnah, Jishvah, and Jishvi, and he had an aunt named Serach.

Historical Context

Heber/Cheber was born in the land of Canaan before the severe famine that afflicted the region. This famine, as described in the context of his relatives’ experiences, ultimately led his grandfather Jacob and the entire household of seventy souls down to Egypt for sustenance under the provision of Joseph. While the precise year of his birth is not stated, he would have been among those who made the transition to living in the land of Goshen in Egypt. He likely spent a significant portion of his life in Egypt during the time when Joseph held a position of great authority, overseeing the land and ensuring the security and provision of his extended family. This period was characterized by both the hardship of the remaining years of famine and the subsequent prosperity enjoyed by Jacob’s descendants in Goshen.

Narrative

Heber/Cheber does not have a distinct personal narrative within these sources. His existence is noted solely within the genealogical lists that enumerate the sons of Jacob and their descendants who resided in Egypt. As a grandson of Asher and a member of the larger Israelite community in Egypt, his significance lies in his inclusion within the lineage that would eventually grow into a great nation, fulfilling the divine promises made to their ancestors. While no specific actions or events are attributed to him, his presence in these records confirms his participation in the early stages of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, a period crucial for the formation and growth of the people of Israel before their eventual exodus and return to the promised land. He is part of the collective narrative of Jacob’s family, who, despite the challenges of famine and displacement, found refuge and multiplied in Egypt under the providential care of Joseph.