1 Chronicles 1 20

1 Chronicles 1:20 kjv

And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,

1 Chronicles 1:20 nkjv

Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

1 Chronicles 1:20 niv

Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

1 Chronicles 1:20 esv

Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

1 Chronicles 1:20 nlt

Joktan was the ancestor of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 20 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:20 presents a genealogical record, specifically listing the seven sons of Seir, the Horite. These individuals are identified as the progenitors of the Horite tribes who inhabited the land of Seir, a mountainous region east of the Arabah, south of the Dead Sea, which later became the territory of Edom. The verse serves as a crucial link in the extensive genealogies of Chronicles, demonstrating the lineage of early inhabitants of territories surrounding Israel, emphasizing a structured understanding of ancient peoples and their origins within God's sovereign plan.

1 Chronicles 1 20 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 1 provides an extensive and vital genealogical record, starting from Adam and tracing humanity's lineage through the patriarchal lines, notably Noah and Abraham, down to Israel. This foundational chapter serves as the spiritual and historical bedrock for the entire book of Chronicles. It aims to re-establish the identity of the returning exiles to Judah, reminding them of their sacred heritage, the divine covenant, and the unbroken line that culminates in King David and, by implication, the Messiah. Verse 20 specifically falls within the section listing descendants of Seir the Horite, who were the original inhabitants of the mountainous region later occupied by Esau’s descendants (Edom). Its inclusion, along with other non-Israelite genealogies, shows God's broader historical scope and highlights the intermingling and distinction of nations surrounding Israel. This historical record emphasizes the divinely ordained existence of these people groups, setting the stage for understanding later interactions between Israel and Edom.

1 Chronicles 1 20 Word analysis

• These: (אֵלֶּה, 'elleh) - A demonstrative pronoun, simply pointing to the immediate subject. In genealogical contexts, it serves as a clear introductory marker for a list.

• are: Implied by context in Hebrew; no specific word here. Hebrew syntax often omits forms of "to be" when present tense.

• the sons: (בְּנֵי, b'nei) - Plural construct form of בֵּן (ben), meaning "son." Here it signifies direct male offspring, establishing the familial and tribal descent. It also indicates lineage and generational succession, foundational to biblical genealogies.

• of Seir: (שֵׂעִיר, Se'ir) - The name of an individual, "Seir the Horite," and also the geographical region (Mount Seir) associated with him and his descendants. The name Se'ir literally means "hairy" or "shaggy," likely referring to the rugged, bushy, and mountainous terrain he and his family inhabited. It designates a distinct ethnic group, the Horites, who predated the Edomites in that land.

• Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan: These are the specific proper names of the seven sons.

  • Lotan (לוֹטָן, Lôṭān): Possibly meaning "hidden" or "covered."
  • Shobal (שׁוֹבָל, Šōḇāl): Perhaps "flowing" or "walker."
  • Zibeon (צִבְעוֹן, Ṣiḇ'ôn): Derived from a root meaning "striped," likely referring to a hyena, an animal found in that region.
  • Anah (עֲנָה, ʿĂnāh): Possibly meaning "answering" or "afflicted." In Gen 36:24, Anah is famously described as the one who found the hot springs (or 'emim' = mighty ones) in the wilderness, showing unique geographical insight and possibly supernatural occurrences associated with their presence in the land.
  • Dishon (דִּישֹׁן, Dîšôn): Possibly meaning "thresher" or "antelope" (pygarg).
  • Ezer (אֵצֶר, ʾĒṣer): Meaning "help" or "treasure."
  • Dishan (דִּישָׁן, Dîšān): Also "thresher" or possibly a variant of Dishon.

• "sons of Seir": This phrase identifies a distinct pre-Edomite ethnos—the Horites—who occupied the territory later known as Edom. Their inclusion emphasizes that God’s providential ordering of nations extended beyond Israel. It also highlights the later historical interaction, as Esau's descendants dispossessed or intermarried with these indigenous people, a detail the chronicler implicitly acknowledges by juxtaposing these lineages (1 Chr 1:35-54 further details Edom). The very act of naming each son emphasizes the historical reality and specificity of these people, asserting their identity in God's historical narrative.

1 Chronicles 1 20 Bonus section

The chronicler's emphasis on comprehensive genealogies, even for non-Israelite nations like the Horites, can be understood from several angles. Firstly, it validates the land claims and territorial boundaries defined in earlier biblical books, reinforcing the narrative accuracy. Secondly, it connects the post-exilic community to the deep past, showing how diverse peoples, often in conflict with Israel, originated within God's singular creation, thereby establishing a broader "humanity" context before narrowing to Israel's unique covenant relationship. The specific region of Seir, as detailed through these sons, became synonymous with Edom and a recurring symbol of adversarial nations throughout Israel's history (as seen in prophetic books). This inclusion subtly teaches that all history, including that of nations distant from direct covenant revelation, is recorded by the Creator and contributes to His unfolding plan. The "sons of Seir" provide the indigenous cultural background that would intermarry with and be supplanted by the Edomites, a process highlighting God's dynamic interaction with diverse peoples to achieve His redemptive purposes.

1 Chronicles 1 20 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:20 is more than a mere list of names; it is a foundational piece in the chronicler's sweeping narrative of divine ordering and covenant. By carefully cataloging the sons of Seir, the text confirms the historical reality of the Horites, the indigenous people of Mount Seir, who preceded the Edomites (Esau's descendants). This detail is significant as it sets the stage for understanding the complex history between Israel and its southern neighbor. The Horites, as mountaineers living in caves (Gen 14:6, Deut 2:12,22), represent an earlier stratum of habitation in a strategically important region. Their detailed genealogy in both Genesis and Chronicles underscores that even nations outside the direct covenant line of Israel are within God's comprehensive historical plan. This record validates the biblical understanding of territorial distribution and the subsequent interactions between Esau’s progeny and these pre-existing inhabitants, showcasing God's sovereignty over all peoples and their designated lands, a silent polemic against any notion of accidental history or mere human self-determination apart from divine decree. The very act of carefully listing these non-Israelite lines serves to provide historical completeness and emphasize the orderly nature of God's creation and governance of the world.