Arphaxad

Arphaxad is a figure mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis. He is identified as the son of Shem and the grandson of Noah. According to the Genesis genealogy, Arphaxad was born two years after the Great Flood, when Shem was 100 years old. He is listed as the father of Shelah, who in turn was the father of Eber. This lineage traces a significant ancestral line from Noah to Abraham.

The name Arphaxad is of Semitic origin and its meaning is debated among scholars. Some suggest it relates to "healer of weaknesses" or "boundaries of the earth." His significance lies primarily in his place within the biblical patriarchal lineage, connecting the post-Flood world to later biblical heroes. There is limited additional information about Arphaxad's life or deeds within the biblical narrative itself. However, he is referenced in other biblical texts and in some extra-biblical traditions, often maintaining his role as a key ancestor. His inclusion serves to establish a historical and genealogical framework for the early history of humanity as presented in the Old Testament.