1 Chronicles 1 2

1 Chronicles 1:2 kjv

Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,

1 Chronicles 1:2 nkjv

Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared,

1 Chronicles 1:2 niv

Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,

1 Chronicles 1:2 esv

Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared;

1 Chronicles 1:2 nlt

Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 2 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:2 continues the initial genealogical record, listing three more individuals – Kenan, Mahalalel, and Jared – as direct descendants in the line tracing back to Adam. This verse emphasizes the continuous and divinely ordained historical progression of humanity from its very beginning, specifically highlighting the "Sethite" line, which represents the righteous or chosen lineage through which God's redemptive plan would unfold, distinct from the line of Cain.

1 Chronicles 1 2 Context

The book of 1 Chronicles begins with extensive genealogies (chapters 1-9), establishing the historical foundation for the subsequent narrative of God's covenant with David, the construction of the Temple, and the kingdom of Judah. These lists are not mere arbitrary records but serve a profound theological and socio-political purpose for the post-exilic community in Israel. By starting with Adam, the Chronicler situates Israel's history within the grand sweep of human history, demonstrating God's sovereign hand from the very beginning. Chapter 1 specifically traces the lineage from Adam to Abraham, emphasizing the election of a specific line through which God's purposes would be realized. Verse 2 continues this deliberate listing, showcasing the longevity and continuity of this divinely chosen ancestral line, preparing the audience to understand God's faithful working across generations, culminating in the establishment of His people, His land, and His worship.

1 Chronicles 1 2 Word analysis

• Kenan (קֵינָן, Qênān):

  • Word Level: A proper noun, name of an individual. Its meaning is debated, possibly "fixed possession" or "smith" (related to Cain, but this Kenan is from the Sethite line). This is the fifth generation from Adam.
  • Significance: Part of the chosen lineage from Adam through Seth. This repetition from Gen 5 reinforces the historical accuracy and authoritative nature of the Chronicler's record. The mention emphasizes the flow of divine promise through specific individuals.
  • Polemic: By naming these specific historical individuals, the Chronicler implicitly asserts the real, historical lineage of mankind, contrasting with pagan mythologies of diverse origins or unrooted peoples. It anchors Israel's identity in actual history, not fables.

• Mahalalel (מַהֲלַלְאֵל, Mahǎlalʾēl):

  • Word Level: A proper noun, meaning "Praise of God" or "God is praised." He is the sixth generation from Adam.
  • Significance: The name itself is significant, reflecting an ancient awareness and praise of God, even in the early human lineage. It subtly hints at a spiritual orientation in this line, perhaps reflecting the worship begun by Enosh (Gen 4:26), "Then people began to call upon the name of the LORD." This suggests faith was present and transmitted.
  • Cultural Context: Names in ancient Near Eastern cultures often carried prophetic or declarative meanings about identity, circumstance, or divine recognition. This name indicates a recognition and adoration of the divine, even in primitive times, further solidifying the theological distinction of this line.

• Jared (יֶרֶד, Yereḏ):

  • Word Level: A proper noun, meaning "descent" or "to descend." He is the seventh generation from Adam. He is noted in Gen 5 as the father of Enoch, a significant figure who "walked with God."
  • Significance: While his own name's meaning isn't overtly spiritual like Mahalalel, his primary significance lies in being the father of Enoch. The lineage progresses directly to Enoch (listed in 1 Chron 1:3), implying continuity with one of the most remarkable figures in early biblical history who defied death by walking faithfully with God. This subtly builds anticipation and reinforces the nature of the faithful line.
  • Historical Detail: The genealogies are highly selective. By including these specific names, the Chronicler underscores the careful preservation of this foundational lineage leading to later covenant figures.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared":
  • This sequence immediately follows "Adam, Seth, Enosh" from the previous verse. This unbroken chain reinforces the concept of continuity, underscoring God's consistent working through generations.
  • The conciseness of listing names without elaborate narratives (as in Genesis 5) highlights the Chronicler's primary focus: demonstrating lineage and legitimizing the post-exilic community's claim to covenant identity and promises through an unbroken historical chain back to Adam. It establishes a fixed, foundational identity for the restored community.
  • The absence of the "begat" phrase often used in genealogies (though implied) lends itself to a rapid, comprehensive catalog, signifying a systematic and authoritative account.

1 Chronicles 1 2 Bonus section

The exact meanings of some names in this very early period are not always definitive in modern scholarship, but the theological implications conveyed by the inclusion of any names in a "God-praises" (Mahalalel) vein reinforce the chronicler's narrative of a righteous remnant or lineage. The Hebrew method of transliterating foreign names or adopting names with specific meanings was common, and in these cases, it signifies continuity of the original source (Genesis). The repetition of the genealogy here in 1 Chronicles serves as a powerful validation of the Genesis record, establishing it as the authoritative foundational history of mankind. This genealogic consistency between different biblical books (Genesis, Chronicles, Luke) further attests to the singular, unified historical progression under God's sovereignty.

1 Chronicles 1 2 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:2 continues the meticulous genealogical survey, listing Kenan, Mahalalel, and Jared. This verse serves several key functions: it reaffirms the historical basis of humanity's origins, presenting the pre-Flood world not as myth but as a concrete chain of descent from Adam. These individuals are part of the Sethite lineage, carefully distinguished from Cain's line in Genesis, thereby highlighting the divine election of a particular seed through which God's redemptive plan would ultimately blossom. The names themselves, particularly "Mahalalel" ("Praise of God"), implicitly reflect the ongoing spiritual inclination of this chosen line, a tradition of calling upon the name of the Lord (Gen 4:26) even amidst a progressively corrupt world leading up to the flood. For the original post-exilic audience, these genealogies rooted them firmly in a deep, sacred past, demonstrating God's consistent faithfulness to His covenant people through millennia, assuring them that their return and rebuilding were part of an ancient and divinely orchestrated plan. The detailed, unbroken line authenticated their identity and place in God's continuing redemptive narrative.