1 Chronicles 1 19

1 Chronicles 1:19 kjv

And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother's name was Joktan.

1 Chronicles 1:19 nkjv

To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.

1 Chronicles 1:19 niv

Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan.

1 Chronicles 1:19 esv

To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg (for in his days the earth was divided), and his brother's name was Joktan.

1 Chronicles 1:19 nlt

Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means "division"), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother's name was Joktan.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 19 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:19 continues the chronological record of generations from Adam, focusing on Eber, from whom the "Hebrews" are often believed to derive their name. The verse specifies that Eber had two sons, Peleg and Joktan. The crucial detail is provided for Peleg, whose name ("division") directly relates to a significant event during his lifetime: "in his days was the earth divided." This phrase signifies the global dispersion of peoples and the diversification of languages, understood to have occurred at the Tower of Babel.

1 Chronicles 1 19 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 1 opens with a detailed genealogical list tracing humanity's lineage from Adam through to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and then focuses extensively on the twelve tribes of Israel. This specific verse, 1 Chronicles 1:19, falls within the post-Flood lineage, specifically the descendants of Shem (Noah's son). The Chronicler's primary purpose for such extensive genealogies is to establish the identity and legitimacy of the people of Israel as God's chosen nation, affirming their historical roots and connection to the Abrahamic covenant. It provides a foundation for the subsequent historical narratives of the kingdom. The mention of "the earth divided" within this context highlights God's sovereign action in shaping the early world, setting the stage for His particular dealings with the families that would eventually become Israel. The verse's close parallel with Genesis 10:25 suggests the Chronicler drew from and reaffirmed the early historical accounts.

1 Chronicles 1 19 Word analysis

• And unto Eber: The conjunction "And" (וַ - waw) links this verse to the preceding genealogical lines. "Eber" (עֵבֶר - 'Ever) is a crucial name. Its root meaning is often associated with "the other side" or "crossing over." Historically, it is considered the eponymous ancestor of the "Hebrews" (עִבְרִי - 'Ivri), establishing a deep etymological connection between this figure and the lineage from which Abraham and ultimately Israel would descend.
• were born: (וַיִּוָּלֵד - vayyivvalēd) - This is a passive verb indicating a natural procreation and continuity of lineage. It emphasizes the direct, unbroken succession from one generation to the next, which is vital in biblical genealogies for establishing claims of heritage, land, and covenant promises.
• two sons: A straightforward factual statement detailing Eber's immediate offspring, critical for further subdividing the branches of humanity in the genealogical record.
• the name of the one was Peleg: "Peleg" (פֶּלֶג - Peleḡ) is derived from the Hebrew verb פָלַג (pālaḡ), meaning "to divide," "to cleave," or "to separate." His name directly points to the key event that follows. This naming custom, reflecting an event occurring at the time of birth, provides significant historical commentary embedded within the genealogical record itself.
• for in his days: (כִּי בְיָמָיו - kî v̱eyāmāyw) - The conjunction "for" (כִּי - kî) introduces the reason for Peleg's name. The phrase "in his days" indicates that the "division" happened during Peleg's lifetime, underscoring its proximity to this ancestral figure. This precision is significant for biblical chronology.
• was the earth divided: (נִפְלְגָה הָאָרֶץ - niplaḡāh hā'āreṣ) - The verb "divided" (נִפְלְגָה - niplaḡāh) is in the Niphal stem, signifying a passive action—it was "caused to be divided" or "became divided." The noun "earth" (הָאָרֶץ - hā'āreṣ) in this context refers to the entire inhabited world or, more specifically, the population of the earth. Biblically, this refers primarily to the linguistic and national division of humanity at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), leading to the diverse peoples and nations (Genesis 10). It signifies God's sovereign intervention in human affairs, countering humanity's rebellious attempt at unity and dispersion across the globe. Some ancient traditions or commentators also entertain the idea of literal geographical division (continental drift), though this is not the primary biblical emphasis.
• and his brother's name was Joktan: "Joktan" (יָקְטָן - Yoqṭān) means "he will be made small" or "he will be lessened." While a prominent ancestor of many Arab tribes in Genesis 10, his name does not carry the same immediate narrative significance in this specific verse as Peleg's. He represents a distinct branch of humanity that, though numerous, is distinct from the primary lineage leading to Israel via Peleg's line.

1 Chronicles 1 19 Bonus section

• Polemical Implication: By explicitly stating that the "earth was divided" during Peleg's time, the Chronicler, echoing Genesis, establishes a monotheistic and divinely orchestrated origin for the world's diverse nations and languages. This stands in contrast to polytheistic mythologies which often offered disparate, independent origin stories for various peoples and lands, without a central divine orchestrator for human diversification.
• Chronological Anchor: The event connected to Peleg's name provides a crucial, albeit approximate, chronological anchor in early biblical history, linking the widespread human dispersion to a specific period after the Flood.
• Typological Seed: The scattering at Babel (referenced here) foreshadows the eventual ingathering of "all nations, tribes, peoples, and languages" to worship God (Revelation 7:9), a process initiated by Pentecost's reversal of language barriers through the Spirit (Acts 2).

1 Chronicles 1 19 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:19 is a concise yet pivotal statement within the grand tapestry of biblical genealogy. It reinforces the theological conviction that human history is divinely ordered, not merely a random succession of events. The naming of Peleg, explicitly tied to the division of the earth, points directly to the foundational event described in Genesis 10-11 – the confusion of languages at Babel and the subsequent scattering of humanity across the globe. This division was a judgment on human pride and an act of sovereign grace, preventing an unchecked, rebellious unity and instead preparing the way for God's distinct call of Abraham and the formation of a chosen people through whom His covenant purposes would be realized. The verse, though seemingly a mere genealogical note, subtly underlines God's power over human collective action, His active role in shaping nations, and the providential preservation of the specific lineage leading to the Hebrew people and ultimately to the Messiah.