Abstract: The present invention provides polyhydric phenols which are starting materials for glycidyl ether compounds which can provide cured products having low moisture absorption, high heat resistance and improved crack resistance and can be used for encapsulating semiconductor devices. The polyhydric phenols are represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 independently represents a halogen atom, an alkyl or cycloalkyl group of 1-9 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group of 4 or less carbon atoms or an aryl group and R.sup.1 may be identical or different when l is 2 or more, R.sup.2 independently represents a halogen atom, an alkoxy group of 4 or less carbon atoms or an alkyl group of 6 or less carbon atoms and R.sup.2 may be identical or different when m is 2 or more, R.sup.