1 Chronicles 1 39

1 Chronicles 1:39 kjv

And the sons of Lotan; Hori, and Homam: and Timna was Lotan's sister.

1 Chronicles 1:39 nkjv

And the sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam; Lotan's sister was Timna.

1 Chronicles 1:39 niv

The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan's sister.

1 Chronicles 1:39 esv

The sons of Lotan: Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna.

1 Chronicles 1:39 nlt

The descendants of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Lotan's sister was named Timna.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 39 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:39 meticulously records the genealogy of Seir the Horite, listing his direct sons who became heads of various clans. This verse continues the larger historical account, emphasizing the origins and lineage of the Horite people who inhabited the land of Edom, later associated with Esau and his descendants. It functions as a precise, divinely preserved record establishing the foundational identity and historical reality of these early groups within God's comprehensive narrative of humanity.

1 Chronicles 1 39 Context

1 Chronicles opens with extensive genealogies, tracing humanity from Adam to the author's present day, establishing the historical backdrop for God's redemptive plan. Chapter 1 particularly focuses on the patriarchal lines, moving from Adam to Noah, then Abraham's descendants, including not only Israel but also other nations like the Edomites and Ishmaelites. This meticulous record-keeping was crucial for the returning exiles in the post-exilic period, serving to confirm tribal identities, land inheritance rights, priestly and royal lineages, and reaffirm God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Verse 39 fits within the section dedicated to Esau's descendants and the Horite inhabitants of Seir (Edom), highlighting the intertwined histories of peoples, even those not directly part of the Abrahamic covenant line that leads to Israel. It reflects a comprehensive understanding that God's sovereignty extends over all nations and their origins.

1 Chronicles 1 39 Word analysis

• The sons (בְּנֵֽי – bənê): The Hebrew term literally means "sons of" or "children of," denoting direct patrilineal descent. In biblical genealogies, this signifies a crucial link in the chain of identity and heritage, indicating tribal or familial relationship. Its plural form "sons" implies multiple distinct offspring, each representing a branch of the family line, who typically become founders or leaders of their own houses or clans. This detail is paramount in the ancient Near East for legal, social, and religious purposes.
• of Seir (שֵׂעִיר – sēʿîr): Seir refers both to the person, Seir the Horite, and the mountainous region east of the Arabah valley, later known as Edom. The name "Seir" means "hairy" or "shaggy," likely describing the rugged, forested nature of the region. Seir the Horite is presented as an early patriarch of the aboriginal inhabitants of this land before Esau's descendants displaced them. His inclusion highlights the distinct, pre-Edomite population, whose lineage was meticulously recorded even outside the direct Israelite line. The region itself became a significant boundary and historical counterpart to Israel.
• Lotan (לוֹטָן – lôṭān): The first son mentioned, his name potentially means "a covering" or "a wrapping." As a founder of a Horite clan, his name carries a literal meaning relevant to ancient practices but in the genealogical context simply identifies him as an individual within the paternal line of Seir, contributing to the distinct tribal structure of the Horites.
• Shobal (שׁוֹבָל – šôḇāl): His name possibly relates to "flowing" or "trailing," perhaps suggesting movement or growth. Like Lotan, his significance here is his role as a progenitor, contributing to the establishment of the Horite clan structure and adding another specific individual to the accurate historical record of the people groups inhabiting the region of Edom.
• Zibeon (צִבְעוֹן – ṣiḇəʿôn): This name translates to "dyed" or "colorful." He is noted in Genesis 36:24 as the father of Anah, who found hot springs and asses. While that detail is omitted here, Zibeon's presence affirms his critical role as a link in the genealogy and a head of a Horite clan.
• Anah (עֲנָה – ʿānāh): Unique among her male brothers and an unexpected inclusion in a male-dominated list, Anah's name likely means "answering" or "afflicted." In the parallel Genesis account (Gen 36:24), she is singularly noted for discovering springs of hot water (or "mules") in the wilderness, which is an important geographical or cultural detail. Her inclusion underscores the meticulous nature of the record, even capturing unusual gender mentions in a list predominantly focusing on male progenitors.
• Dishon (דִּישׁוֹן – dîšōn): His name means "threshing" or "gazelle," indicative of agricultural or animal-related activity. As another son, he further completes the immediate male offspring of Seir, contributing to the detailed Horite clan register.
• Ezer (אֵצֶר – ʾēṣer): Meaning "treasure" or "storehouse." This name conveys a sense of value or richness. He is the penultimate son listed, solidifying the family unit and contributing to the overall count of the initial leaders among the Horites.
• and Dishan (וְדִישָׁן – wəḏîšān): The final son listed, bearing a name very similar to Dishon, possibly another form of it, also related to "threshing" or "gazelle." His mention concludes the list of Seir's direct sons, establishing the full generational layer of the first leaders of the Horites. The slight variation from "Dishon" might highlight a distinct individual rather than a mere spelling variation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The sons of Seir": This opening phrase immediately establishes the focus on progeny and lineage stemming from Seir. In ancient societies, identity, inheritance, and tribal structure were entirely based on such patrilineal descent. It denotes the establishment of a foundational group, emphasizing their origins and familial connections within the vast panorama of nations recorded in Chronicles.
• "Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan": This enumeration provides a comprehensive and specific list of the immediate offspring of Seir. The precise detailing reflects the historical purpose of the Chronicler to accurately catalogue these early inhabitants. The order itself might indicate birth order or hierarchical significance, reflecting the organized societal structure of these Horite clans. The notable inclusion of "Anah" highlights that even details defying the usual patriarchal lineage (a female listed as a direct "son") were considered important for the complete record, possibly indicating her significant contribution or unusual status. The overall list serves as a reliable register of the heads of families that descended from Seir and who would later interact with or be supplanted by Esau's descendants. This meticulous recording affirms God's providential oversight not only of Israel but of all human history and its constituent peoples.

1 Chronicles 1 39 Bonus section

The genealogies in 1 Chronicles, including the one in 1:39, primarily aim to provide an accurate historical and covenantal basis for post-exilic Israel. While Mount Seir and Edom are later depicted as adversaries to Israel (e.g., in Prophetic books like Obadiah, Eze 35), their detailed genealogy here serves as a historical fact, demonstrating that even those nations outside the immediate covenant people of Israel are known and accounted for by God. Their origins are rooted in real historical figures. The Horites, as noted by scholars, were indigenous to Seir, demonstrating a layer of deep history to the region before the rise of later peoples like the Edomites. This highlights the fluidity and shifts in territorial control and population over time, which were also part of God's overarching plan for the nations.

1 Chronicles 1 39 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:39 provides a concise yet essential piece in the vast genealogical tapestry of Scripture. By meticulously listing "the sons of Seir"—Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan—the verse reaffirms the comprehensive and reliable nature of biblical history. These individuals represent the initial leadership and foundational clans of the Horites, the indigenous people of Mount Seir (Edom), before Esau's lineage took possession of the land.

This genealogical snippet, directly paralleling Genesis 36:20-21, demonstrates the Chronicler's commitment to historical accuracy and his reliance on earlier, authoritative sources. The inclusion of the Horite lineage serves several purposes: it underscores God's meticulous attention to all human groups, not just the chosen line of Israel; it provides historical context for the land of Edom, a perennial neighbor and occasional adversary of Israel; and it confirms the ancient origins of the peoples involved in the broader Abrahamic covenant promise concerning "many nations" (Gen 17:4). The peculiar inclusion of Anah, a female, in a list of "sons" points to the historical significance she must have held (perhaps due to her unique discovery, as noted in Genesis), indicating that divine record-keeping encompasses even details that break traditional patterns when such individuals play a key role in the ancestral narrative. This verse, therefore, is not mere arid listing but a profound testament to the accurate preservation of diverse ancestries within God's sovereign historical plan, reminding us that every person's lineage is known to Him, and all histories unfold according to His design.