Is Ben-Hur in the Bible?
Answered from the commentary of Morrish Bible Dictionary and Leslie M. Grant
Yes. Ben-hur appears in the Bible as one of Solomon's commissariat officers, stationed in mount Ephraim, in 1 Kings 4:8. The name means "son of Hur," because "ben" is the word for "son" and is often placed at the beginning of a name to say whose son the person is. Mount Ephraim is not a single peak but the hill country of Ephraim, running from Bethel to the plains of Jezreel. Ben-hur heads the list of twelve governors Solomon set over Israel, each over a different area. Each in turn provided food for the king and his household for one month of the year (1 Kings 4:7), so the king's table never lacked supply. Their names and districts are given in 1 Kings 4:8-19. Even such a list carries "profitable instruction and blessing" for those who seek discernment from God to search it out. The orderly provision of these officers also pictures Israel's full allegiance to the Lord Jesus in the coming kingdom.
Verses: 1 Kings 4:9, 1 Kings 4:10, 1 Kings 4:11, 1 Kings 4:12, 1 Kings 4:13, 1 Kings 4:14, 1 Kings 4:15, 1 Kings 4:16, 1 Kings 4:17, 1 Kings 4:18, 1 Kings 4:19, 1 Kings 4:8, 1 Kings 4:7, Exodus 17:10, Exodus 17:12, Exodus 24:14, Exodus 31:2
The above is AI generated summary based on the writers below.
What the commentators say
The passages the answer is drawn from, the most direct first, with the words that bear on the question marked.
Ben-hur, or 'son of Hur,' commissariat officer of Solomon in mount Ephraim. 1 Kings 4:8.
Son of Ephratah. 1 Chr. 2:50; 1 Chr. 4:4,
A word signifying 'son,' and often placed at the beginning of proper names to say whose son the person is: or followed by an appellative, as Ben-oni, 'son of my sorrow.' In the plural it is BENE, or BENI.See BAR.
ben, 'son,' with words conjoined, 'son of valour,' or valiant man; 'son of strength,' or strong man. 2 Kings 2:16, etc.
Ben - A son
Ben ai’ah Built of Jehovah
Ben am’mi - Son of my people
Solomon did have 12 governors over Israel, each in a different area. It is not said that these were benefactors of the people, but rather that each one in turn provided food for Solomon and his household, one each month of the year (v.7). This pictures the response of Israel toward the Lord Jesus in a coming day, when they give full allegiance to Him. We may be sure these governors also attended to the needs of the people, just as those who give the Lord the first place will not fail in showing kindness to others.
The names of the 12 governors are told us in verses 8-19 and the areas over which they ruled. There is surely profitable instruction and blessing in such scripture for those who seek and receive discernment from God to search it out.
"So King Solomon was king over all Israel." A list of the princes and the twelve officers is given first. Their names fit in perfectly with the character of the kingdom, foreshadowing the coming and better kingdom of our Lord. We give the names of the princes with their meaning. Azariah, "Jehovah is help"; Elihoreph, "my God is reward"; Ahiah, "Brother of Jehovah"; Jehoshaphat, "Jehovah judges"; Benaiah, "Built up by Jehovah"; Zabud, "Gift bestowed"; Ahishar, "Brother of ability"; Adoniram, "Lord of Heights."
1 Kings 4 contains an enumeration of the officers who served Solomon, and upheld the glory of his throne; and then, the manner in which the whole country provided for the maintenance of his household, Judah and Israel being multiplied and full of joy The king's authority extends as far as the Euphrates. Peace reigns all around. The wisdom and understanding which God had given him surpassed all that was known in the world; so that from the ends of the earth they came to hear the wisdom of his lips.
One who with Aaron supported the hands of Moses during the battle of Israel with Amalek. He was also left with Aaron in charge of the camp when Moses ascended mount Sinai. Ex. 17:10, 12; Ex. 24:14. Jewish tradition says that he was the husband of Miriam, and the same person as No. 2.
Son of Caleb, the son of Hezron, and grandfather of Bezaleel. Ex. 31:2; Ex. 35:30; Ex. 38:22; 1 Chr. 2:19-20; 1 Chr. 4:1; 2 Chr. 1:5.
Son of Paruah, and a commissariat officer of Solomon. 1 Kings 4:17.
Commissariat officer of Solomon in Asher. 1 Kings 4:16.
Verses
- 1 Kings 4:7–197And Solomon had twelve superintendents over all Israel; and they provided food for the king and his household each man his month in the year had to make provision. 8And these are their names Ben-Hur, in mount Ephraim. 9Ben-Deker in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-Beth-hanan. 10Ben-Hesed, in Arubboth; he had Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher. 11Ben-Abinadab had all the upland of Dor; Taphath the daughter of Solomon was his wife. 12Baana the son of Ahilud had Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which is by Zaretan beneath Jizreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-Meholah, as far as beyond Jokneam. 13Ben-Geber, in Ramoth-Gilead; he had the villages of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; he had the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bars of bronze. 14Ahinadab the son of Iddo, at Mahanaim. 15Ahimaaz, in Nephtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon as wife. 16Baanah the son of Hushai, in Asher and in Aloth. 17Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar. 18Shimei the son of Ela, in Benjamin. 19Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the land of Sihon the king of the Amorites, and of Og the king of Bashan; and [he was] the only superintendent that was in the land.