1 Chronicles 1 21

1 Chronicles 1:21 kjv

Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah,

1 Chronicles 1:21 nkjv

Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

1 Chronicles 1:21 niv

Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

1 Chronicles 1:21 esv

Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

1 Chronicles 1:21 nlt

Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 21 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:21 records a specific lineage, listing "Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash." These are presented as the four sons of Aram, whose lineage extends from Noah through Shem. This verse is part of an extensive genealogical record, foundational to understanding the history and identity of Israel, emphasizing the divine providence in maintaining family lines from the beginning of humanity, which eventually leads to the covenant people. The list serves to anchor the post-exilic community to their ancestral roots, reaffirming their place within the universal history narrated by the Bible.

1 Chronicles 1 21 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 1 is an exhaustive genealogical record beginning with Adam, tracing the lineage through Noah's sons (Japheth, Ham, Shem) and then focusing specifically on the descendants of Shem. This initial chapter sets the foundation for the entire book, which recounts the history of Israel from Adam to the return from Babylonian exile, with a strong emphasis on the kingdom of David, the temple, and the Levitical priesthood.

Verse 21 is embedded within the section detailing the lineage of Shem, particularly the family of Aram. The purpose of this meticulous genealogy is not merely historical recitation. For the post-exilic audience, it provided:

• Identity and Legitimacy: Reaffirming their connection to God's chosen line from antiquity.
• Continuity: Demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people despite exile.
• Foundation for Claims: Establishing the rightful lineage for the Davidic monarchy, the priesthood, and tribal inheritance.

The Chronicler uses these lists to connect the contemporary community to their deep roots in salvation history, establishing that Israel's identity is anchored in God's faithfulness from the very beginning.

1 Chronicles 1 21 Word analysis

• Uz (עוּץ - 'Utz): This is the first son listed. The name "Uz" is also found elsewhere in the Bible, associated with Job (Job 1:1), and possibly related to Edomite territory or a specific region (Lam 4:21). Here, it specifically denotes one of Aram's sons. The dual occurrence points to a common geographical or tribal identifier in the ancient Near East, which could imply a prominent branch of the Aramaeans.
• Hul (חוּל - Chul): This name appears solely in the genealogical lists of Genesis 10:23 and 1 Chronicles 1:17 (depending on text tradition) and 1 Chronicles 1:21. Its specific geographical or tribal association is not explicitly identified in biblical or readily available extra-biblical sources. It represents another distinct lineage of Aram.
• Gether (גֶּֽתֶר - Geter): Like Hul, Gether is known primarily from these same genealogical lists (Gen 10:23, 1 Chr 1:17, 1 Chr 1:21). While some theories attempt to connect it to ancient place names, none are definitive. It signifies another distinct segment within the Aramaean family.
• Mash (מַשׁ - Mash): This name, appearing in Genesis 10:23, is the generally accepted Hebrew Masoretic Text reading for 1 Chronicles 1:21. The KJV and NKJV versions notably present "Meshech" in 1 Chronicles 1:21 instead of "Mash," likely due to a transcriptional error or variant tradition during translation. "Meshech" (מֶשֶׁךְ) is predominantly identified in Genesis 10:2 and 1 Chronicles 1:5 as a son of Japheth, distinctly separate from the Semitic line of Aram. The presence of "Mash" (as per the Hebrew MT and most modern translations like ESV, NASB, NIV) here keeps the lineage consistent with Genesis, referring to a branch of the Aramaeans. Mash might be connected to a specific Aramaean tribal group or region.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash: This group represents the collective offspring of Aram, demonstrating the four major branches or foundational tribes believed to descend directly from Aram. Their listing here affirms the broad family tree of nations from which Israel eventually emerges, showcasing God's sovereign hand in establishing the peoples of the earth before narrowing the focus to His chosen people. The Chronicler’s inclusion of this full list, identical to Genesis 10:23, signals his acceptance and validation of the established genealogical record found in the Pentateuch, affirming its authority and the universality of God's creation and providential oversight over all peoples.

1 Chronicles 1 21 Bonus section

• The discrepancies in English translations for the fourth name ("Meshech" vs. "Mash") are significant textual critical points, reflecting variations in Hebrew manuscripts or interpretive decisions by translators. The dominant Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew Bible) for 1 Chronicles 1:21 clearly reads "Mash" (מַשׁ), which aligns with Genesis 10:23. The reading "Meshech" (מֶשֶׁךְ) found in some translations could stem from an ancient scribal error or a particular textual tradition that substituted a phonetically similar but historically different name. Meshech, as noted, is otherwise identified as a Japhethite son, not a Semite, making the "Mash" reading crucial for maintaining consistency within the biblical genealogies of Genesis 10 and 1 Chronicles 1. This subtle difference impacts the broader understanding of ethnic lineages if not critically examined.
• The genealogies in Chronicles are not merely historical records; they also function as theological statements. They demonstrate God's continued faithfulness through generations, preparing the ground for the promised Seed and the Davidic monarchy. The detailed nature reflects a belief in God's purposeful hand in the flow of history and the formation of peoples.
• While this verse names branches of Aram, later biblical texts often refer to Aram collectively or to specific Aramaean kingdoms like Aram-Damascus, indicating the expansion and development of these initial tribal groups into significant political entities. The biblical record traces the origins to these early listed individuals.

1 Chronicles 1 21 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:21 serves as a succinct record, continuing the enumeration of Shem's descendants. While it merely lists four names—Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash (in agreement with the Masoretic Text and most modern versions, despite the KJV/NKJV's "Meshech" which contradicts Genesis 10 and Semitic lineage)—its significance transcends a simple recitation. It precisely identifies the foundational groups of the Aramaeans (often known as Syrians in later biblical accounts), a people group with whom Israel frequently interacted. The meticulous detail in preserving these specific names, even those of related but not directly Israelite groups, highlights the Chronicler's intent to construct a comprehensive history rooted in Genesis. This act of preservation underscores the biblical worldview of a unified human ancestry and God's sovereign ordering of nations from the very beginning. For the post-exilic community, such lists validated their own lineage by situating them within a universally recognized historical framework, reminding them of God’s faithfulness in preserving His plan through specific bloodlines, even amidst great changes in world powers.