1 Chronicles 1 1

1 Chronicles 1:1 kjv

Adam, Sheth, Enosh,

1 Chronicles 1:1 nkjv

Adam, Seth, Enosh,

1 Chronicles 1:1 niv

Adam, Seth, Enosh,

1 Chronicles 1:1 esv

Adam, Seth, Enosh;

1 Chronicles 1:1 nlt

The descendants of Adam were Seth, Enosh,

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 1 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:1 opens the historical narrative by stating the names of the first three generations of humanity, tracing a foundational lineage: Adam, Seth, and Enosh. This immediate dive into a genealogical list, without preamble or descriptive narrative, signifies the crucial role of lineage and historical continuity in the Chronicler's message. It establishes a universal scope for God's redemptive plan, beginning with humanity's origins and providing the framework upon which the subsequent history of Israel will be built. This concise opening immediately connects the audience to the very beginning of divine activity among humankind.

1 Chronicles 1 1 Context

First Chronicles begins with an extensive genealogical section spanning the first nine chapters, before narrating the history of David and subsequent kings. This immediate start with "Adam, Seth, Enosh" underscores the Chronicler's aim to present a comprehensive history from creation to the post-exilic period, emphasizing God's covenantal continuity. For a returning and struggling Jewish community in the post-exilic era, these genealogies were crucial. They re-established their identity, provided assurance of their place within God's ongoing plan, and authenticated their lineage for inheritance and religious roles (especially priestly). By starting with Adam, the Chronicler sets the broadest possible historical stage, connecting Israel's story not just to Abraham but to the very beginning of human history as created by God, affirming a universal scope that undergirds their particular calling. It contrasts sharply with contemporary pagan narratives by grounding history in a monotheistic, ordered creation.

1 Chronicles 1 1 Word analysis

• Adam (Hebrew: אָדָם, ’ādām):
  • Meaning: Primarily means "man" or "humanity," derived from ’ădāmâ (ground/earth), highlighting the human's origin from the dust. It also functions as the proper name of the first human.
  • Significance: Represents the first man, created directly by God in His image (Gen 1:26-27). He is the progenitor of all humanity and through whom sin entered the world (Rom 5:12, 1 Cor 15:22). This name establishes the universal connection of Israel to all humankind, and consequently, to God's universal dominion and plan. It stands as a theological counterpoint to polytheistic creation myths, asserting a single Creator and a single origin for humanity.
• Seth (Hebrew: שֵׁת, shēth):
  • Meaning: From the root "to put, to set, to appoint." Eve named him Seth, saying, "God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him" (Gen 4:25).
  • Significance: Seth represents God's faithful provision for a continuing, righteous lineage after Abel's murder. He becomes the ancestor through whom the promised "seed" and covenant line would continue, eventually leading to Noah, Abraham, David, and ultimately the Messiah (Gen 3:15, Lk 3:38). His birth signifies hope and the continuity of divine purpose despite human sin and tragedy.
• Enosh (Hebrew: אֱנוֹשׁ, ’ěnōš):
  • Meaning: A synonym for "man," often used in a sense of "mortal man" or "frail humanity."
  • Significance: His time marks a significant spiritual turning point, as "Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD" (Gen 4:26). This indicates an early resurgence of worship and seeking after God, highlighting the spiritual inclination and need of humanity despite its fallen state. It connects to themes of seeking God's face and repentance, a crucial message for the post-exilic audience.
• Words-group: Adam, Seth, Enosh:
  • This initial triad immediately establishes the focus on a specific, chosen lineage from the very beginning of humanity, even before the covenants with Noah or Abraham. It underscores the concept of a "seed" (Gen 3:15) that is set apart for God's redemptive plan. By starting here, the Chronicler reinforces that God has always been active in human history through a select line, preparing the ground for the full revelation of His purposes in Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 1 Bonus section

The highly concise nature of 1 Chronicles 1:1 implies that the original audience was already very familiar with the foundational narratives found in Genesis. There is no descriptive background for Adam's creation or Seth's birth; the names themselves serve as anchors to that existing biblical knowledge. This brevity is a deliberate literary choice, underscoring the assumed common ground and theological understanding between the Chronicler and his readers, thereby focusing their attention immediately on the flow of divine history through a chosen lineage rather than the re-telling of well-known foundational stories.

1 Chronicles 1 1 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:1, "Adam, Seth, Enosh," is not merely a dry list but a profound theological statement. It is the Chronciler's concise yet weighty opening, asserting a deep and unbroken historical continuity from the creation of the first man, Adam, to the present reality of the Jewish community returning from exile. By beginning here, the text reminds its original audience—and us—of several key truths. First, it roots the history of God's covenant people in a universal framework, emphasizing that their story is part of the Creator's grand design for all humanity. Second, it highlights God's sovereign preservation of a chosen line, specifically through Seth, after the disruptive entry of sin and violence into the world (Abel's murder). Seth and Enosh symbolize the continuity of a faithful remnant and the nascent return to worship ("calling upon the name of the LORD"). Third, for the post-exilic Israelites, this detailed genealogy, starting with Adam, served as an assurance of their authentic identity and divine calling, reconnecting them to a heritage stretching back to creation itself, providing a foundation for rebuilding and reaffirming their unique role in God's ongoing plan.