1 Chronicles 1 34

1 Chronicles 1:34 kjv

And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel.

1 Chronicles 1:34 nkjv

And Abraham begot Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel.

1 Chronicles 1:34 niv

Abraham was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.

1 Chronicles 1:34 esv

Abraham fathered Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.

1 Chronicles 1:34 nlt

Abraham was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 34 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:34 succinctly states a critical line in the divine history of redemption: "And Abraham begot Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel." This verse functions as a concise genealogical marker, linking Abraham, the father of the faithful and recipient of the covenant promise, to Isaac, the son through whom the promise would continue. It then identifies Isaac's direct male heirs, Esau and Israel (Jacob), foreshadowing the lineage that would become the nation chosen by God. The brevity of this verse encapsulates narratives of divine election, familial roles, and the distinct destinies of the two brothers, emphasizing God's sovereign hand in establishing His covenant people.

1 Chronicles 1 34 Context

1 Chronicles 1 is the opening chapter of the book of Chronicles, and it begins with a meticulous and sweeping genealogy that traces humanity's lineage from Adam through to the patriarchs, the tribes of Israel, and then to various specific family lines. This comprehensive record serves a crucial purpose for the original audience, who were post-exilic Israelites rebuilding their lives in Judah. Genealogies in ancient Israel affirmed identity, justified land claims, verified priestly legitimacy, and reinforced the continuity of God's covenant promises.

Within this grand scope, 1 Chronicles 1:34 falls squarely within the "Table of Nations" and the line of promise. It rapidly moves from Adam (v.1) through Noah (v.4) to Shem (v.17) and then focuses intensely on Abraham and his descendants from verse 27 onward. The inclusion of Isaac, Esau, and Israel (Jacob) is highly significant because it distills complex narratives found in Genesis, emphasizing God's specific choice and the formation of the chosen people, distinct from other nations or lineages. The concise summary of Esau and Israel in this verse highlights that while both were sons of Isaac, only one would carry the direct covenant line and become the ancestor of the twelve tribes. This focus on "Israel" (Jacob's new name) points directly to the origins of the nation for whom the entire book of Chronicles is written, underlining their divine election and unique place in redemptive history.

1 Chronicles 1 34 Word analysis

• And Abraham (Hebrew: וְאַבְרָהָם - wəʾAḇrāhām):

  • wə-: "And," a conjunction linking this to the preceding list of Abraham's other children, distinguishing the primary line.
  • Avraham: "Father of a multitude." This name change from Abram signifies his destiny. His appearance here is pivotal; he is the patriarch of God's chosen people, the recipient of foundational covenants, whose seed carries divine blessing. His inclusion in this genealogy is central to establishing the lineage of the nation Israel and, ultimately, the Messiah.

• begot (Hebrew: הוֹלִ֖יד - hōwliḏ):

  • This is the Hiphil form of the verb yalad, meaning "to beget," "to father," "to bear." The Hiphil emphasizes causation – Abraham caused Isaac to be born. In genealogies, yalad is standard, signifying direct paternal lineage. It highlights the transmission of physical and, in the biblical sense, spiritual heritage and the covenantal line from father to son.

• Isaac (Hebrew: יִצְחָֽק - Yiṣḥāq):

  • Meaning "He laughs" or "laughter." His name recalls the incredulity and later joy of his parents at his miraculous birth (Gen 17:17, 18:12, 21:6). Isaac is presented here not just as a physical descendant but as the son of promise through whom the covenant with Abraham would be sustained, clearly differentiating his lineage from Ishmael's. He represents the line chosen by divine will, not just natural progression.

• The sons of Isaac: (Hebrew: בְּנֵ֖י יִצְחָ֑ק - Bənê Yiṣḥāq)

  • Bəney: "Sons of." This phrasing immediately shifts the focus to Isaac's progeny, establishing the next generation in the divine lineage.
  • The phrase underscores that Isaac, despite being the only legitimate son of promise for Abraham, then fathers two distinct sons, setting up the subsequent choice that God makes between them.

• Esau (Hebrew: עֵשָׂ֥ו - ʿĒśāw):

  • Meaning "hairy" or "ready-made." The elder twin son of Isaac. In biblical narratives, Esau often represents the "flesh" or the natural man, who despises his birthright (Gen 25:34) and forfeits the covenant blessings for temporary gratification. His inclusion here, immediately followed by "Israel," highlights the theological contrast and God's sovereign choice for Jacob over the natural firstborn. He is acknowledged as Isaac's son, but his line will branch off, distinct from the chosen covenant line that leads to Israel.

• and Israel (Hebrew: וְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל - wəYiśrāʾēl):

  • wə-: "And," connecting him directly with Esau as the other son of Isaac.
  • Yiśrāʾēl: "He strives with God" or "God strives." This is Jacob's new name, given to him after wrestling with God (Gen 32:28). This specific naming ("Israel" rather than "Jacob") is highly significant here. In Chronicles, written for the post-exilic community, the use of "Israel" from the outset establishes the foundational identity of the nation from its earliest origins, underscoring God's re-naming and special relationship with Jacob, whose descendants constitute the nation Israel. It anticipates the entire scope of the Chronicler's work, which focuses on the history of the nation of Israel.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Abraham begot Isaac": This phrase encapsulates the miraculous birth of the covenant heir, differentiating him from Ishmael and reaffirming God's faithfulness to His promise to Abraham. It points to a lineage chosen by divine intervention rather than mere biological sequence, forming the foundation of God's covenant people.
  • "The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel": This short declaration carries immense theological weight. It identifies the next critical point of divergence in the lineage. While both are sons of Isaac, the narrative in Genesis clearly demonstrates a divine preference and plan for Jacob (Israel) over Esau, even before their birth (Rom 9:10-13). The mention of "Israel" (Jacob's transformed name) in this ancestral list reinforces the ultimate purpose of this genealogy: to trace the line that leads directly to the formation of God's chosen nation. It silently points to divine election, setting the stage for the narrative of the twelve tribes and the eventual establishment of the kingdom of Israel, the central focus of Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 1 34 Bonus section

The genealogies in Chronicles are not merely historical records; they are theological arguments. For the post-exilic community, facing questions of identity and continuity, these lists served several vital functions:

• Reassurance of Covenant Identity: They firmly connect the struggling present generation to the ancient patriarchs, reaffirming that they are indeed "Israel," the heirs of the covenant with Abraham.
• Emphasis on Election: The selective listing (e.g., specifying Isaac and then Esau and Israel) subtly highlights God's sovereign choice throughout history, comforting those who might feel abandoned.
• Legitimacy of Claim: They provided a legal and social basis for land tenure, tribal affiliations, and especially the validity of the priesthood and Davidic line upon return from exile.
• Prophetic Foundation: By beginning with Adam and quickly moving to the line of promise, the genealogies lay a groundwork for understanding God's unfolding plan through history, hinting at the future Messiah who would descend from this very line. The inclusion of "Israel" for Jacob at this early point connects the ancestral promise directly to the national entity and its divine calling.

1 Chronicles 1 34 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:34 is more than a mere factual record; it is a profound theological statement woven into the fabric of Israel's foundational history. It rapidly condenses vast and detailed narratives from Genesis (specifically chapters 12-36) into a concise lineage summary, characteristic of the Chronicler's genealogical method. The selection and brevity underscore the Chronicler's primary concern: affirming the continuity of the covenant and the chosen line that leads to the nation of Israel, from its earliest patriarchal roots to the present day (for the exilic community).

By explicitly naming Isaac as the sole progeny of Abraham (among his recognized sons for the covenant) and then directly naming Esau and "Israel" (Jacob's new, God-given name) as Isaac's sons, the verse silently emphasizes the theme of divine election. It highlights that God's plan is not limited by human conventions like primogeniture, as seen in Jacob being chosen over Esau despite being the younger twin. This underscores God's sovereignty and His selective working in establishing His people. The inclusion of "Israel" here is deliberate, presenting Jacob already by the name that defines the entire nation, emphasizing that the chosen people find their ultimate identity and covenantal reality in him. This concise verse thus serves as a theological anchor, establishing the legitimate and divinely-ordained lineage of the post-exilic community, reaffirming their identity and connection to God's ancient promises. It reassures them of their place within God's historical plan for salvation.