1 Chronicles 1 29

1 Chronicles 1:29 kjv

These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

1 Chronicles 1:29 nkjv

These are their genealogies: The firstborn of Ishmael was Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

1 Chronicles 1:29 niv

These were their descendants: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

1 Chronicles 1:29 esv

These are their genealogies: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

1 Chronicles 1:29 nlt

These are their genealogical records: The sons of Ishmael were Nebaioth (the oldest), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 29 Meaning

This verse continues the genealogical record of Abraham's descendants, specifically naming four of Ishmael's twelve sons: Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, and Mibsam. It functions as a precise enumeration of early patriarchal lineage, establishing the identity and origin of significant tribes in the ancient world, many of whom became neighbors to or interacted with ancient Israel. The phrase "These are their generations" signals a formal, comprehensive genealogical listing, underscoring its historical and contextual importance.

1 Chronicles 1 29 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 1 provides a sprawling genealogy, beginning with Adam and systematically tracing the lineage of humanity, then narrowing its focus through Noah, Shem, and Abraham. This verse specifically follows the mention of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael (v. 28), directly preceding the full list of Ishmael's sons and their descendants. The Chronicler's primary goal in compiling such extensive genealogies was to affirm the identity and continuity of post-exilic Israel with their ancestral roots, emphasizing God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people through the generations, and legitimizing claims to land, priestly duties, and the Davidic monarchy. The inclusion of Ishmael's line, though not the primary covenant line, acknowledges the historical existence and significance of Abraham's wider family, fulfilling God's promise to bless Ishmael with numerous offspring, and provides a broader historical backdrop for the nation of Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 29 Word analysis

• These are their generations: The Hebrew phrase is ’Ēleh tôlᵉdôṯām.
  • ’Ēleh (אֵלֶּה): "These." A demonstrative pronoun, indicating the subject of the list that follows.
  • tôlᵉdôṯ (תּוֹלְדוֹת): "Generations," "account of births," "genealogical lines," "descendants." This is a crucial theological and structural term used repeatedly throughout Genesis (e.g., Gen 2:4, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, 11:10) to mark transitions in narrative and highlight the lineage of a family or group. Here, it formally introduces a new segment of the family tree of Ishmael. Its use emphasizes a formal, divine record of historical succession.
  • ām (־ָם): "Their." A pronominal suffix attached to 'tôlᵉdôṯ', making it "their generations."
  
  

  Group analysis: These are their generations

  This common biblical phrase formally introduces a detailed genealogical listing. In the context of 1 Chronicles, it authenticates the lineages and demonstrates a careful, meticulous record-keeping tradition essential for establishing tribal identities, claims to land, and religious roles in the post-exilic period.

• Ishmael (ישמעאל): Transliterated Yishma‘ê’l. Meaning "God hears" or "God will hear." He was Abraham's first son, born to Hagar. While not the son of the covenant promise (Isaac), God blessed Ishmael (Gen 17:20, 21:13, 21:18) and promised to make him into a great nation of twelve princes. His descendants became the forebears of numerous Arabian tribes, many of whom were significant players in ancient Near Eastern history. The Chronicler's inclusion acknowledges God's broader activity beyond the direct covenant line of Isaac.
• Kedar (קדר): Transliterated Qēḏār. Meaning "dark" or "gloomy," possibly referring to the dark-skinned inhabitants or the dark, goat-hair tents for which they were famous. Kedar was Ishmael's second son (Gen 25:13) and arguably the most prominent of Ishmaelite tribes. They were nomadic Arabs known for their extensive flocks, military prowess (especially as archers), and valuable trade (spices, goods). Mentioned frequently in prophetic books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel), they represent a major tribal entity in Arabia often associated with nomadic desert dwellers and, at times, with opposition to Israel.
• Adbeel (אדבאל): Transliterated ’Aḏbĕ’ēl. The meaning is debated, possibly "servant of God," "God is powerful," or related to "distress." He was Ishmael's third son (Gen 25:13). While listed, Adbeel and his descendants are not frequently mentioned in other biblical or extrabiblical texts as distinct powerful entities, suggesting their tribal identity might have been absorbed or remained less prominent compared to Kedar.
• Mibsam (מבשם): Transliterated Mibsām. Meaning "sweet odor" or "fragrant." He was Ishmael's fourth son (Gen 25:13). Similar to Adbeel, this tribe's presence in historical records is minimal beyond genealogical lists. Its inclusion here by the Chronicler is simply part of faithfully recording all of Ishmael's sons as initially presented in Genesis.

Words-group analysis: Ishmael, and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam

This sequence explicitly names four of Ishmael's twelve sons, serving to delineate his immediate lineage as promised by God (Gen 17:20). The precise listing of these specific individuals is a deliberate act of historical record-keeping, confirming the fulfillment of divine pronouncements regarding Ishmael's numerous descendants and identifying tribal groups that existed alongside ancient Israel, whether as trading partners, allies, or occasional adversaries. The order reflects the Genesis account of Ishmael's progeny.

1 Chronicles 1 29 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s genealogical sections (1 Chr 1-9) are far more extensive and detailed than in other historical books. The inclusion of figures like Ishmael and his specific descendants underscores that even lines outside the direct "seed" of promise (Isaac/Jacob) were important to the Chronicler’s narrative, demonstrating the universal breadth of God's creative and sovereign work throughout history, leading up to the chosen lineage. While Isaac's descendants carried the covenant, Ishmael's offspring played roles in regional dynamics, and acknowledging their origins connects to broader Abrahamic promises, albeit distinct from the main redemptive thread. The names of Ishmael's sons often hint at the characteristics or fortunes of the tribes that descended from them, reinforcing their unique identities.

1 Chronicles 1 29 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:29 acts as a foundational block in the Chronicler's sweeping genealogical edifice. While much of Chronicles focuses on the lineage leading to the Davidic kingdom and the Temple, the meticulous inclusion of Ishmael's sons here serves several purposes. It underscores the Chronicler's commitment to providing a comprehensive historical record from creation onward, establishing the universal scope of God's interaction with humanity. By listing Ishmael’s progeny, it acknowledges God’s blessing upon him, demonstrating divine faithfulness to promises made even to those not in the direct covenant line (Isaac). For the returning exiles, this list, initially from Genesis 25, solidified the understanding of various neighboring groups—particularly the powerful Kedarites—within a known Abrahamic framework. This verse confirms the ancestral ties that linked Israel to these powerful desert tribes, contributing to the complete historical narrative essential for the re-establishment of the community’s identity and place in the world.