1 Chronicles 1 27

1 Chronicles 1:27 kjv

Abram; the same is Abraham.

1 Chronicles 1:27 nkjv

and Abram, who is Abraham.

1 Chronicles 1:27 niv

and Abram (that is, Abraham).

1 Chronicles 1:27 esv

Abram, that is, Abraham.

1 Chronicles 1:27 nlt

and Abram, later known as Abraham.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 27 Meaning

The traditional and widely accepted biblical text of 1 Chronicles chapter 1 verse 27 reads, "Abram (that is, Abraham)." This verse marks a pivotal point in the opening genealogies of 1 Chronicles. It concludes the meticulously traced line of humanity through Shem, Arpachshad, and Eber, directly leading to the patriarch Abraham. Its significance lies in establishing the lineage through which God's foundational covenant promises, particularly those concerning a chosen people, land, and ultimately the Messiah, would be initiated and fulfilled. The entire sweep of history presented by the Chronicler hinges on Abraham's entry, signifying the divine election of a family through whom God would work His redemptive purposes. While specific names are usually associated with 1 Chronicles 1:20-23 or other genealogies in chapter 1, this analysis will address the significance of "Abram (that is, Abraham)" for 1 Chronicles 1:27. Furthermore, we will explore the individual biblical relevance of the names "Hobam," "Jobab," and "Meshech," recognizing that these names, while prominent in other parts of scripture, are not found in the standard text of 1 Chronicles 1:27.

1 Chronicles 1 27 Context

1 Chronicles 1 begins the Chronicler's sweeping historical account, starting not with Moses or David, but with Adam himself (1 Chr 1:1). The entire first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles are dedicated to genealogies, which served a crucial purpose for the post-exilic community in Judah. These lists helped to re-establish identity, validate land claims, organize priestly and Levitical families, and remind the people of God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people despite exile.

Within this broader context, 1 Chronicles 1:1-27 specifically traces the early human lineage. It proceeds from Adam to Noah (1:1-4), then details the sons of Noah (Shem, Ham, Japheth, 1:4), and their various descendants, forming the nations of the world (1:5-23). Critically, the primary line of focus quickly narrows to Shem (1:4), and his direct descendants continue until verse 27. Thus, 1 Chronicles 1:27 concludes this particular line of succession from Adam through Shem's faithful branch, presenting "Abram (that is, Abraham)." This climax ensures the reader understands that God's overarching plan for humanity and, specifically, for Israel, is anchored in the life and calling of Abraham, the recipient of foundational covenant promises. The careful detailing of this ancestry demonstrates divine foresight and active participation in history, underscoring the legitimacy and divine choice of the lineage from which Israel sprang.

1 Chronicles 1 27 Word Analysis

The provided names in the prompt for 1 Chronicles 1:27 are "Hobam, Jobab, and Meshech." It is important to note that the standard Hebrew Masoretic Text and subsequent English translations for 1 Chronicles 1:27 uniformly state "Abram (that is, Abraham)," thus concluding a direct lineage from Adam. Therefore, the analysis will address both the actual biblical content of 1 Chronicles 1:27 and the names provided, clarifying their common biblical contexts.

• Abram (אַבְרָם - Avram / Abraham - אַבְרָהָם - Avraham): The actual content of 1 Chronicles 1:27. "Abram" means "exalted father" or "my father is exalted." God later changed his name to "Abraham" (אַבְרָהָם), meaning "father of a multitude" or "father of many nations" (Gen 17:5), signifying the vast extent of God's covenant promise concerning his descendants. His inclusion here marks him as the chosen head of the covenant family through whom salvation history would unfold. He is the link between the universal genealogies of early humanity and the specific lineage of Israel.

• Hobam: This exact spelling is not a widely recognized biblical name. It is likely a variant or typo for "Hobab" (חֹבָב - Chobav).

  • Hobab (If inferred for "Hobam"): This name appears in Numbers 10:29 and Judges 4:11. Hobab was the son of Reuel (also called Jethro), the Midianite (a descendant of Abraham through Keturah, but not a direct patriarch in this mainline). He was Moses' father-in-law or brother-in-law. His primary role in Scripture is accompanying Israel for a time in the wilderness, guiding them with his knowledge of the land. His lineage is separate from the main Shemitic line tracing to Abraham that 1 Chronicles 1 focuses on up to verse 27. Therefore, "Hobab" would not naturally fit in a list concluding the lineage of Shem before Abraham in this chapter.

• Jobab (יוֹבָב - Yovav): This is a recognized biblical name with several occurrences:

  • Son of Joktan: He is listed as one of the thirteen sons of Joktan (Gen 10:29; 1 Chr 1:23). Joktan was a son of Eber, from the line of Shem (Gen 10:25; 1 Chr 1:19). So, if Jobab were meant, he would fit chronologically within the broader Shemitic ancestry detailed in 1 Chronicles 1 (before the direct line to Abraham branches off). However, he is explicitly listed in verse 23 of the same chapter, making his repetition in verse 27 as one of only three names unusual in context, especially as the text shifts focus directly to Abraham in that specific verse. The nations descended from Joktan largely settled in Arabia.
  • King of Edom: Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah (Gen 36:33-34; 1 Chr 1:44-45), an early Edomite king. Edom descended from Esau, Jacob's brother.
  • Benjaminites: Also appears as names of Benjaminites in 1 Chronicles 8:9, 18.This multiplicity of persons named Jobab illustrates the commonality of names in ancient times, requiring contextual cues for proper identification. For 1 Chronicles 1:27, if a Joktanite Jobab were meant, his inclusion here would be an organizational oddity given the flow.

• Meshech (מֶשֶׁךְ - Meshekh): This is a prominent biblical name, almost exclusively referring to:

  • Son of Japheth: He is listed as one of the seven sons of Japheth (Gen 10:2; 1 Chr 1:5). Japheth was one of Noah's sons. His descendants typically settled in northern regions, particularly known for their association with Tubal and residing in modern-day Turkey. Ezekiel mentions Meshech and Tubal frequently in prophecies against nations (Ezek 27:13, 32:26, 38:2-3, 39:1), characterizing them as powerful but hostile nations. Placing Meshech here, who belongs to the Japhetic line (distinct from Shem's), in a verse explicitly concluding a Shemitic lineage, would represent a significant genealogical inconsistency.

• Words-group analysis ("Hobam, Jobab, and Meshech" vs. "Abram"): The provided grouping of "Hobam, Jobab, and Meshech" as a collective "verse 27" introduces a significant textual and genealogical discrepancy compared to standard biblical texts which clearly state "Abram (that is, Abraham)" at this point. "Hobam/Hobab" is Midianite, "Meshech" is Japhetic, and "Jobab" is Shemitic but specifically Joktanite (distinct from the Abrahamic branch of Shem's line that 1 Chr 1:27 emphasizes). Thus, as a trio, these names span three distinct, non-converging lineages that the Chronicler presents as separate, particularly at the culminating point where the main covenantal lineage of Abraham is identified. The primary point of 1 Chronicles 1:27 is singularity: the identification of Abram as the linchpin, not a collection of diverse and genealogically incompatible individuals.

1 Chronicles 1 27 Bonus section

The genealogies in Chronicles, including 1 Chronicles 1, are not mere dry lists of names. They are theological statements designed to affirm God's sovereign control over history and His covenant faithfulness. By commencing with Adam and systematically moving through various family lines to Abraham, then to the patriarchs, the tribes of Israel, and ultimately the Davidic monarchy, the Chronicler anchors Israel's identity and hope firmly in God's historical actions. This comprehensive overview assures the returned exiles that they are part of a continuous divine plan, descended from the very ones to whom God made His unbreakable promises.

The repetition of Abraham's dual name ("Abram (that is, Abraham)") underscores the moment of God's re-naming covenant in Genesis 17, emphasizing God's transforming power and the expansion of His vision for Abram's progeny. This renaming from "exalted father" to "father of a multitude" embodies the profound spiritual shift initiated at this point in salvation history, leading from a chosen individual to the foundational ancestor of a people set apart for God's glory and a source of blessing to all nations through Christ (Gal 3:16). This detailed genealogical record provides the indisputable, divinely sanctioned evidence for the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and the ultimate trajectory towards the Messiah, ensuring that all aspects of His plan are rooted in historical fact and divine promise.

1 Chronicles 1 27 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:27 is a succinct yet profoundly significant verse. In its canonical form, reading "Abram (that is, Abraham)," it serves as the crucial gateway from the general history of humanity into the specific history of God's covenant people, Israel. After tracing various lines from Adam, including those that became the surrounding nations, the Chronicler brings the reader to Abraham, signaling a deliberate shift in divine focus. This is not merely a genealogical marker; it represents the moment the divine purpose narrowed from a universal, albeit fallen, humanity, to a specific chosen family. God's election of Abraham (Gen 12:1-3) marks the beginning of the promises concerning land, nation, and blessing for all families of the earth—promises that ultimately point to Jesus Christ.

For the post-exilic community reading Chronicles, reaching "Abram (that is, Abraham)" was a powerful reminder of their divine heritage and the enduring faithfulness of God to His covenants, even when the nation was in distress. Their identity as God's people was inextricably linked to Abraham's faith and the covenant made with him. This verse reaffirms the legitimate claim of the returned exiles to their inheritance and destiny, tracing their roots to the very foundation of God's saving plan. The very conciseness of the verse, reducing a multi-branched ancestry to a single, climactic name, highlights the singular importance of Abraham in redemptive history.