Interesting Facts

• Jimnah is identified as one of the sons born to Asher by his wife Hadurah, who was also known as ‘Ijona’.
• His name appears in various genealogical listings across the texts, sometimes with slight variations in spelling such as Yimnah or Imnah (as implied by Jimnah).
• Notably, the sources do not ascribe any specific actions, speeches, or individual narrative events to Jimnah. His significance within the texts is primarily genealogical.

Genealogy

• Jimnah’s father was Asher, one of the twelve sons of Jacob.
• His mother was Hadurah, the second wife of Asher, who was the daughter of Abimael, the son of Eber, a descendant of Shem.
• He had three full brothers: Yishvah (or Ishuah/Isui), Yishvi, and Beriah.
• He also had a half-sister, Serach, from his mother’s first marriage to Malkiel.
• Jimnah was among the descendants of Jacob who journeyed to Egypt.

Historical Context

Jimnah’s life unfolded within the context of the early Israelite tribal structure and their migration to Egypt due to the famine. His birth occurred after Asher’s marriage to Hadurah in the land of Canaan. The transition of Jacob’s family from Canaan to Egypt under the leadership of Joseph would have been a defining event of his lifetime. The sources highlight the secure dwelling and prosperity enjoyed by Jacob’s sons and their families in Egypt during Joseph’s time. The patriarchal structure of the society is evident in the emphasis on lineage and the listing of descendants. The intermarriage of Jacob’s sons with women from other lineages, as seen in Asher’s marriage to Hadurah, reflects the broader cultural interactions of the time.

Narrative

Jimnah’s individual narrative presence within the provided texts is minimal. He appears primarily within genealogical records that document the descendants of Jacob who settled in Egypt. His existence is noted as one of the sons of Asher, contributing to the lineage of the tribe of Asher. While the texts detail significant events involving his grandfather Jacob, his uncles, and particularly his half-niece Serach’s role in informing Jacob that Joseph was alive, Jimnah himself remains a figure within the broader family structure without specific personal anecdotes or actions attributed to him. His inclusion in the lists of those who went to Egypt signifies his participation in this pivotal event for the family of Jacob, but the narrative focus remains on more prominent figures and the overarching story of their sojourn in Egypt.