1 Chronicles 1 28

1 Chronicles 1:28 kjv

The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael.

1 Chronicles 1:28 nkjv

The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.

1 Chronicles 1:28 niv

The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.

1 Chronicles 1:28 esv

The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.

1 Chronicles 1:28 nlt

The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 28 Meaning

This verse concisely identifies the two immediate male descendants of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. It establishes the primary lines of Abraham's family tree, serving as a critical juncture in the biblical genealogies where the broader human lineage begins to narrow its focus. While acknowledging both sons, it sets the stage for the biblical narrative's subsequent concentration on the divinely appointed covenant line that would pass through Isaac to form the nation of Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 28 Context

First Chronicles Chapter 1 begins with extensive genealogical lists, tracing humanity from Adam to Abraham, meticulously establishing a continuous lineage. This particular verse (1 Chron 1:28) acts as a pivot, shifting the narrative focus to Abraham, who is foundational to Israel's identity and divine covenant. The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic audience, uses these condensed genealogies to reaffirm Israel's unique status as God's chosen people, demonstrate the unbroken line from their origins, and underscore the legitimacy of the Davidic monarchy and the temple system. The inclusion of both Isaac and Ishmael here is part of this comprehensive, albeit brief, historical record of Abraham's immediate family before the account primarily narrows to Isaac's line and eventually the twelve tribes of Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 28 Word analysis

• The sons: Hebrew: וּבְנֵי (u-v'nei). The "וּ-" (u-) means "and," directly linking this entry to the preceding genealogies. "בְּנֵי" (b'nei) is the construct plural of "בֵּן" (ben), meaning "son." This indicates immediate male progeny, crucial for founding subsequent family lines or nations.
• of Abraham: Hebrew: אַבְרָהָם (Avraham). This is the patriarch's name, signifying "father of a multitude." He is central to biblical history, having received God's covenant of land, nation, and universal blessing (Gen 12:2-3, 17:5). His name itself foreshadows the broad and diverse offspring that would descend from him.
• Isaac: Hebrew: יִצְחָק (Yitzchaq), meaning "he laughs." This is the son of promise, miraculously born to Sarah in her old age (Gen 21:1-3). He is the divinely chosen heir of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 26:3-5), through whom the nation of Israel would descend. His miraculous birth highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness in keeping His word.
• and Ishmael: Hebrew: וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל (v'Yishma'el), meaning "God hears." Abraham's firstborn son through Hagar, Sarah's servant (Gen 16:15). Though not the son of promise for the specific covenant lineage leading to Israel, Ishmael was also blessed by God with numerous descendants who would become a great nation (Gen 17:20, 25:12-16). His mention here completes the record of Abraham's primary male offspring.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The sons of Abraham": This phrase immediately focuses the genealogical narrative on Abraham as the foundational patriarch for the specific history of God's covenant people. It transitions from a global, diffuse ancestry to a particular, chosen lineage, setting the trajectory for the remainder of Chronicles which will trace the path to Israel.
• "Isaac and Ishmael": This concise listing identifies the two main, foundational branches of Abraham's immediate family. By presenting them together, the Chronicler gives a complete picture of Abraham's initial patrilineal legacy. The placement of Isaac before Ishmael subtly emphasizes the order of significance regarding the covenant, preparing the reader for the subsequent narrative which will overwhelmingly prioritize Isaac's line as the pathway to God's chosen nation.

1 Chronicles 1 28 Bonus section

The Chronicler's highly condensed genealogical summaries, such as this verse, reflect a unique literary and theological purpose. Unlike the Pentateuch, which details the narratives and divine interactions, 1 Chronicles often assumes the audience's familiarity with these stories, opting instead for brief lists. This serves to quickly establish the divine continuity from Adam to Abraham, and then rapidly move toward the foundation of the nation of Israel and, particularly, the establishment of the Davidic monarchy and the temple, which are the primary foci of the book. The inclusion of Ishmael, though briefly, highlights the biblical record's completeness and theological truth that God blesses beyond the covenant line, even as He sovereignly chooses one line (Isaac's) for the specific covenant inheritance leading to Israel and, ultimately, the Messiah. This implicitly reinforces the concept of divine election seen repeatedly throughout Scripture.

1 Chronicles 1 28 Commentary

First Chronicles 1:28 efficiently encapsulates a significant shift in the Chronicler's genealogical record. Rather than providing an extensive retelling of the detailed Genesis narratives surrounding Isaac and Ishmael, the Chronicler offers a summary statement. This serves to swiftly transition the genealogical record from universal humanity to the specific, immediate progenitors of Israel. By listing both Isaac and Ishmael, the Chronicler accurately records Abraham's complete direct paternity. However, the subsequent chapters of Chronicles make it clear that the focus narrows significantly from this point, consistently following the line of Isaac to establish the heritage and legitimacy of the people of Israel, their kings, and their temple service. This conciseness is characteristic of the Chronicler's style, designed to efficiently establish historical and theological connections while directing attention towards the central concerns of the post-exilic community: identity, continuity, and divine faithfulness to the covenant through the lineage of Israel.