דברי הימים א, פרק ד׳, פסוק י״ח

Biblical genealogies frequently reveal complex family structures, weaving together tribal leaders, geographical regions, and ancient traditions. One such family centers around a man named Mered, who married two women from different backgrounds and fathered descendants who became key figures in the leadership of Judah. The primary approach among commentators is that Mered is actually Caleb the son of Jephunneh [רש״י ורד״ק]. According to this view, he earned the name Mered, meaning rebellion, because he rebelled against the counsel of the spies. Alternatively, Mered may have been a distinct individual, a son of Ezra descended from Caleb's lineage [רד״ק].

Mered's first wife is described as Jewish. Most commentators explain that this designation highlights her origin, standing in direct contrast to Mered's second wife, Bithiah, who was Egyptian [מצודת דוד ורד״ק]. However, other scholars suggest that this is not a description but her actual given name [מלבי״ם]. Another intriguing possibility is that this title actually refers to Bithiah herself, describing her new status after she converted to Judaism [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This wife gave birth to three figures: Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. The primary approach among commentators is that the title of father designates a prince, lord, or ruler over the geographical cities of Gedor, Socho, and Zanoah [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ ורד״ק]. Conversely, the title can be understood literally, meaning Gedor, Socho, and Zanoah were the names of sons, and the father is simply identified through his most famous children [רד״ק]. A unique Midrashic tradition suggests that the names Jered, Heber, and Jekuthiel are actually all titles for Moses. In this context, the act of giving birth is interpreted conceptually as raising and educating a child, reflecting how Bithiah raised Moses as her own son [רד״ק].

The family record then shifts to the children of Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, creating a clear separation between her descendants and those of the Jewish wife [רש״י]. There is some debate regarding exactly which children belong to Bithiah. Many commentators believe her descendants were already listed previously in the family record, pointing to names like Miriam and Shammai [מצודת דוד ורד״ק]. Others argue that her children are detailed in the subsequent records [מלבי״ם]. While the text uses the plural term for sons, it is common in genealogies for this to refer to a single child [רש״י]. Furthermore, while Pharaoh is widely understood to be the king of Egypt, there is also an opinion that this was simply the name of a regular Israelite man [מלבי״ם].