1 Chronicles 1:40 kjv
The sons of Shobal; Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. and the sons of Zibeon; Aiah, and Anah.
1 Chronicles 1:40 nkjv
The sons of Shobal were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon were Ajah and Anah.
1 Chronicles 1:40 niv
The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
1 Chronicles 1:40 esv
The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
1 Chronicles 1:40 nlt
The descendants of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The descendants of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah.
1 Chronicles 1 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 5:1 | "This is the book of the generations of Adam..." | Illustrates foundational genealogies |
| Gen 10:32 | "These are the families of the sons of Noah..." | Defines the Table of Nations |
| Gen 11:27 | "Now these are the generations of Terah..." | Continues patriarchal lineage towards Abraham |
| Gen 36:20 | "These are the sons of Seir the Horite..." | Direct ancestral line of Zophar is Horite |
| Gen 36:28 | "These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran." | Part of Horite chieftain list like Zophar |
| Deut 2:12 | "The Horites formerly lived in Seir..." | Historical context for Horite inhabitants |
| Gen 38:30 | "Afterward his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread..." (Zerah) | Notes another prominent Zerah, Judah's son |
| Num 26:13 | "Of Zerah, the family of the Zerhites." | Notes Zerah as a clan name from Simeon's son |
| Ruth 4:18 | "Now these are the generations of Perez..." | Shows lineage leading to King David |
| 1 Ch 1:1-27 | Adam to Abraham and his sons. | Context of comprehensive genealogies |
| 1 Ch 1:35 | "The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah." | Immediate context, lineage from Esau |
| 1 Ch 1:39 | "The sons of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam. The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah." | Preceding names within the Horite chieftain list |
| 1 Ch 4:9-10 | Jabez called on God of Israel and was blessed. | Illustrates a significant entry in genealogies |
| Matt 1:1-17 | The genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David... | Emphasizes purpose of messianic lineage |
| Lk 3:23-38 | The genealogy of Jesus, son of Adam, son of God. | Connects Jesus to all humanity |
| Ezra 2:61-62 | "And of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Koz, the sons of Barzillai..." | Importance of lineage for priestly identity |
| Neh 7:64 | "...those who were enrolled in the genealogies..." | Genealogies essential for return from exile |
| Isa 43:7 | "everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory..." | God's sovereign hand in all human existence |
| Acts 17:26 | "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth..." | God's order over nations |
| Col 3:10-11 | "...and have put on the new self... There is no Gentile or Jew..." | In Christ, old genealogical distinctions fade |
| 1 Tim 1:4 | "nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations..." | Caution against unproductive genealogical study |
| Titus 3:9 | "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless." | Reinforces caution against unproductive debates |
1 Chronicles 1 verses
1 Chronicles 1 40 Meaning
The verse states that Heth and Zerah were the sons of Zophar. It serves as a genealogical entry, specifically detailing a portion of the lineage of Esau through his descendants inhabiting the land of Seir. This inclusion within the extensive genealogies of 1 Chronicles underscores the meticulous record-keeping concerning the pre-Israelite nations, acknowledging their historical reality within God's broader providence before focusing on the Davidic line.
1 Chronicles 1 40 Context
First Chronicles chapter 1 is an extensive genealogical record, beginning from Adam and tracing lines through Abraham to the diverse peoples, ultimately focusing on the Israelite tribes. Verse 40 specifically appears within the genealogy of Esau's descendants, particularly the Horite chieftains of Seir. The Horites were the indigenous inhabitants of the region before being dispossessed by Esau’s descendants (Deut 2:12). This detailed list of Horite and Edomite chieftains in both Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1 highlights their significant presence and established order, acknowledging them as a people group whose lineage and succession were part of the historical landscape known to the chronicler's audience. The overall purpose of these genealogies in Chronicles was to affirm identity and continuity for the post-exilic community, connecting them to God's faithful past, demonstrating the fulfillment of promises, and establishing legitimacy, especially for the Davidic dynasty and the Levitical priesthood.
1 Chronicles 1 40 Word analysis
- The sons: (Hebrew: Bĕnê) This plural construct noun literally means "sons of". It signifies direct lineage and inheritance. In biblical genealogies, "sons of" not only indicates biological offspring but can also represent descendants, a tribal group, or followers of an individual or characteristic. Here, it explicitly traces immediate offspring.
- of Zophar: (Hebrew: Ṣôphar) A proper noun, identifying an individual who is presented as a patriarch in this lineage. Zophar is listed as one of the "chiefs of the Horites" in Genesis 36:29, descended from Seir. It is important to distinguish this Zophar from Zophar the Naamathite, one of Job's friends, as they are entirely unrelated persons from different historical and geographical contexts. In this genealogical record, the name itself carries no specific interpretive weight beyond identifying the patriarch of this particular sub-lineage.
- Heth: (Hebrew: Ḥēth) A proper noun, indicating one of Zophar's immediate sons. This individual Heth is not to be confused with "the Hittites" (Ḥittîm), an ethnic group often mentioned in the Old Testament, even though the names share a similar consonant structure in English. The name simply designates a specific person in this Horite family tree.
- and: (Hebrew: waw) A common conjunctive particle. Here, it simply connects the two names, Heth and Zerah, indicating they are both sons of Zophar. Its primary function is grammatical, linking the elements of the list.
- Zerah: (Hebrew: Zeraḥ) Another proper noun, the second son of Zophar mentioned in this verse. The name "Zerah" appears elsewhere in the Bible, most notably as a son of Judah (Gen 38:30) and a descendant of Simeon (Num 26:13), but those are distinct individuals. In this context, Zerah is explicitly one of the Horite chieftains from the lineage of Zophar in Seir.
- The sons of Zophar: This phrase is standard genealogical formula, concisely stating paternity and immediate offspring. Its purpose is to clearly map out the familial relationships and the line of descent. In the context of 1 Chronicles, this meticulous mapping contributes to the Chronicler's larger aim of establishing a complete, continuous historical record, tracing humanity from creation and emphasizing God's involvement in all nations, even those outside the direct covenant line of Israel, before narrowing to focus on Israel.
- Heth and Zerah: These specific names represent the continuity of Zophar's lineage. The recording of these names signifies their identity, status, and contribution to the historical tapestry. Though brief, their inclusion affirms the detailed knowledge and historical veracity acknowledged by the Chronicler concerning the established peoples and rulers contemporary to or preceding the Israelite nation. Their specific ethnicity as Horites from Seir further contextualizes them within the historical landscape described in the Pentateuch, especially regarding the origins of Edom.
1 Chronicles 1 40 Bonus section
The repetitive nature of names in biblical genealogies (e.g., "Zerah" appearing for Judah's son and Simeon's son, in addition to this Horite Zerah) underscores the critical importance of context for correct identification. This prevents misinterpretation and reinforces that the text expects careful reading. The chronicler’s dedication to recording the full genealogical history, from Adam to Israel's exilic return, illustrates a profound theology of continuity, covenant fidelity, and divine oversight spanning all generations and peoples. This detailed lineage, including the Horite chieftains, reflects ancient Near Eastern cultural practices where detailed tribal records were vital for identity, land rights, and political legitimacy, elements very much at play in the chronicler's own time. The precise inclusion of foreign tribal heads here, contrasted with the singular focus on the Davidic line later in Chronicles, highlights the selective but foundational role these earlier histories played in preparing for the narrative of Israel.
1 Chronicles 1 40 Commentary
First Chronicles 1:40, in its brevity, contributes to the monumental genealogical scaffolding of the Chronicler. Far from being a mere list of names, each entry in this chapter serves to establish historical continuity and divine order. This particular verse records two sons, Heth and Zerah, belonging to Zophar, a Horite chieftain. Their inclusion acknowledges the reality of the Horites, the original inhabitants of Seir before the Edomites displaced them. This genealogical precision connects God's sovereign hand not only to Israel but to the historical trajectory of other nations as well, laying groundwork for understanding subsequent interactions and the broader sweep of history under God's control. The meticulous recording also emphasizes the Chronicler's dedication to historical truth and the importance of heritage for the post-exilic community who needed to reaffirm their identity and lineage to God's covenants. It teaches that even seemingly minor historical details are part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan.