1 Chronicles 1 25

1 Chronicles 1:25 kjv

Eber, Peleg, Reu,

1 Chronicles 1:25 nkjv

Eber, Peleg, Reu,

1 Chronicles 1:25 niv

Eber, Peleg, Reu,

1 Chronicles 1:25 esv

Eber, Peleg, Reu;

1 Chronicles 1:25 nlt

Eber, Peleg, Reu,

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 25 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:25 simply lists three names: Eber, Peleg, and Reu. This verse forms part of an extensive genealogy, chronicling the lineage from Adam to Abraham and beyond. It highlights a critical segment within the line of Shem, tracing the ancestors through whom the Abrahamic covenant would eventually be established. While concise, its inclusion here underscores the divine faithfulness in preserving a chosen line, culminating in Israel's identity and, ultimately, the Messiah.

1 Chronicles 1 25 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 1 is a foundational genealogical chapter, listing ancestors from Adam through the sons of Noah, the Abrahamic line, and culminating in the tribes of Israel. This particular verse (1 Chr 1:25) presents a direct, compact snippet from the lineage of Shem, Noah's son, focusing on three key individuals: Eber, Peleg, and Reu.

The broader context of Chronicles, written for the post-exilic community in Judah, aimed to re-establish the identity, heritage, and continuity of God's covenant with His people. The Chronicler emphasizes legitimate lineage to prove Israel's unbroken connection to their patriarchs and to God's promises, particularly regarding the temple and the Davidic kingdom. These genealogies are not mere lists; they affirm divine faithfulness across generations and secure the community's place in God's redemptive plan. Listing Eber, Peleg, and Reu connects the post-exilic people directly back to the very origins of humanity and to the specific branch that would give rise to Abraham and the nation of Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 25 Word analysis

• Eber (עֵבֶר - 'Ever):

  • Meaning: Literally "the other side" or "one who crossed over."
  • Significance: From Eber is derived the term "Hebrew" ('Ivri), which identifies Abraham and his descendants. This name highlights a separation or distinction.
  • Biblical Connection: Gen 10:21 identifies Shem as "the ancestor of all the sons of Eber," making Eber a critical early patriarch for the distinctive people of God. Gen 14:13 calls Abraham "Abram the Hebrew."
  • Commentary: Eber marks the branch of Shem's descendants from whom Abraham would come, suggesting the divine intent to select a people through a specific lineage from early times.

• Peleg (פֶלֶג - Pelegh):

  • Meaning: "Division" or "watercourse/stream."
  • Significance: Gen 10:25 explicitly states, "for in his days the earth was divided." Scholars debate whether this refers to a literal geological division of landmasses or, more commonly, the socio-linguistic division of humanity at the Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9). The latter interpretation is preferred, as it relates to the origin of distinct nations and languages.
  • Biblical Connection: His name directly links to the major event of human dispersion after the Flood, establishing God's sovereignty over the nations and their boundaries.
  • Commentary: Peleg’s name provides a historical anchor for the diversification of humanity, highlighting God's plan for peoples and nations, even as He maintained a single, chosen lineage through this same family line.

• Reu (רְעוּ - Rĕ'ū):

  • Meaning: Related to "friend," "associate," or "shepherd" (from the root ra'ah, "to feed, tend, associate").
  • Significance: Reu is the next link in the chain leading directly to Abraham. While his name's meaning doesn't carry a major historical event like Peleg's, its connection to "friend" or "association" could subtly allude to the communal and covenantal nature of the lineage God was preserving.
  • Commentary: Reu ensures the continuation of the precise lineage through which God's promises would flow, reinforcing the uninterrupted, divinely ordained path to the covenant.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Eber, Peleg, Reu,":
  • This trio represents three successive generations in the critical pre-Abrahamic lineage from Shem. Their succinct listing, without additional biographical detail beyond their names, signifies the Chronicler's primary focus on genealogical continuity rather than narrative expansion here.
  • Their placement highlights the chosen lineage amidst a wider world of scattered nations (following Peleg's name). God’s intention to select and maintain a singular line of promise through a world increasingly diverse and often hostile.
  • The omission of their full ancestral chains (father/son connections as in Genesis) simplifies the list for quick identification and emphasizes their position within the main stream of redemptive history, crucial for the identity of the returning exiles.

1 Chronicles 1 25 Bonus section

• Theological Compaction: The Chronicler’s genealogy is not merely copying Genesis. By condensing and carefully selecting lineages, he provides a theological interpretation of history, focusing on continuity, legitimacy (for temple service, Davidic monarchy, land), and God's covenant faithfulness to Israel despite their past failures and the exile. Each name, however briefly mentioned, affirms God's work in keeping the promise alive through the ages.
• Significance of Names: The names in genealogies often carry meaning, pointing to aspects of divine providence or historical context. "Eber" for "Hebrew" and "Peleg" for "division" are prime examples. These aren't just arbitrary labels but hold latent theological and historical data.
• Christological Line: Although this verse precedes Abraham in the direct lineage of Christ found in Luke 3, its inclusion shows the meticulous preservation of the Messianic line even in the earliest chapters of Genesis, affirming God’s long-term plan for redemption from creation onward.

1 Chronicles 1 25 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:25, though exceedingly brief, is profoundly significant within the Bible's overarching narrative. Appearing within the vast genealogies of Chronicles, this verse serves as a crucial point of connection between the broad history of humanity after the Flood and the specific lineage leading to Abraham, Israel, David, and ultimately, Christ.

The Chronicler, writing for a people in exile and post-exile, was concerned with establishing the legitimate identity and heritage of "all Israel." By painstakingly tracing these lines back to Adam, he asserted their unbroken continuity and their divine election. "Eber, Peleg, Reu" are not mere names; they are anchors in God's steadfast preservation of a specific family, despite the great dispersion marked by Peleg's very name.

Eber’s name, echoing the identity of the "Hebrew," immediately identifies the distinct origin of Abraham’s people. Peleg’s name explicitly ties into the division of humanity into nations (Gen 10-11), yet significantly, it is within his immediate lineage that the unique line for God's redemptive purpose continues. Reu ensures the progression of this selected chain.

This verse subtly underscores God's faithfulness in choosing and sustaining a specific seed through history, providing the essential framework for all future covenant promises. It is a testimony to divine meticulousness and unwavering purpose, demonstrating that even amidst global diversifications and human fallenness, God’s plan to raise up a people and, through them, bring blessing to all families of the earth, remained on course.