1 Chronicles 1 41

1 Chronicles 1:41 kjv

The sons of Anah; Dishon. And the sons of Dishon; Amram, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.

1 Chronicles 1:41 nkjv

The son of Anah was Dishon. The sons of Dishon were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

1 Chronicles 1:41 niv

The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Keran.

1 Chronicles 1:41 esv

The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

1 Chronicles 1:41 nlt

The son of Anah was Dishon. The descendants of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 41 Meaning

First Chronicles chapter 1, verse 41 serves as a concise genealogical record, specifically listing some of the descendants of Anah through his son Dishon. Anah is identified as a chief of the Horites and later as an Edomite chief. The verse precisely names four sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran, thereby tracing a specific lineage within the broader Edomite nation. This detail is part of the Chronicler's meticulous and extensive genealogical tables that begin the book of 1 Chronicles, aiming to provide a continuous historical record from creation to the return from exile.

1 Chronicles 1 41 Context

1 Chronicles 1:41 is situated within the expansive genealogical chapters (1-9) that begin the book of 1 Chronicles. This section provides a sweeping overview of history, starting from Adam and proceeding through the patriarchs, the various clans, and eventually focusing on the tribes of Israel, particularly Judah and Levi, leading up to David and the kings of Israel. The Chronicler's aim in compiling these detailed genealogies was to affirm continuity with the past, establish identity for the post-exilic community returning to Judah, confirm land rights and tribal allocations, and underscore the divine covenant and promise of a Davidic king.

Verse 41 specifically falls within the list of descendants of Esau, known as Edom, who settled in Seir (Gen 36). Although not Israelites, their inclusion reflects a comprehensive view of historical record and also acknowledges their historical relationship (often one of conflict) with Israel. Anah is a key figure here, known for discovering springs in the wilderness (Gen 36:24) and being father-in-law to Esau. The specific listing of Dishon's sons ensures the comprehensive tracing of major Edomite lineages and ruling chiefs, highlighting the meticulously organized tribal structure and succession of authority even among neighboring nations, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples in His historical plan.

1 Chronicles 1 41 Word analysis

• The sons of Anah:

  • Hebrew: בְּנֵי עָנָה (B'nê ‘Ānāh).
  • B'nê (בְּנֵי): A construct plural form of "ben" (בֶּן), meaning "sons of." It signifies direct lineage and identifies the individuals immediately following as direct offspring or, in a broader tribal sense, as descendants or members of the clan led by Anah. This common Hebrew construct highlights a direct and clear genealogical link.
  • ‘Ānāh (עָנָה): Anah is a prominent figure in Edomite genealogies. In Gen 36:20, he is a Horite chief, one of Seir’s sons. Later in Gen 36:24-25, he is listed as the father of Dishon (as here) and Oholibamah, who became one of Esau’s wives. This connection signifies Anah's pivotal role in linking the pre-Edomite Horites with the emergent Edomite nation through intermarriage and succession, providing historical continuity.

• Dishon:

  • Hebrew: דִּישׁוֹן (Dîshōn).
  • Dishon is identified as Anah's son here. In Gen 36:21, he is a "duke" or chief of the Horites, emphasizing his leadership position. He also appears as an Edomite clan name, pointing to the tribal unit associated with his lineage. The name indicates an important branch of the Edomite lineage.

• And the sons of Dishon:

  • Hebrew: וּבְנֵי דִּישׁוֹן (Ūb'nê Dîshōn).
  • The "וּ" (u-) is a conjunction "and," linking this next group of names directly as descendants of Dishon. It structurally mirrors the initial phrase, maintaining clarity in the lineage flow.

• Hemdan:

  • Hebrew: חֶמְדָּן (Ḥemdān).
  • This name is notable because in the parallel account of Genesis 36:26, the same individual is called "Aram" (אֲרָם). This variation reflects possible different scribal traditions, regional name variations, or different phonetic renderings, a common feature in ancient textual transmission. It's not a contradiction but a variant, underscoring the ancient process of compiling and preserving records and sometimes highlighting distinct tribal appellations for the same individual.

• Eshban:

  • Hebrew: אֶשְׁבָּן ('Eshbān).
  • Another direct descendant of Dishon, belonging to the established Edomite line. His name, along with others, serves to precisely document the various branches and chieftainships within the Horite-Edomite confederation.

• Ithran:

  • Hebrew: יִתְרָן (Yitrān).
  • Also a son of Dishon, part of the named lineage. The recurrence of these names across generations underscores their importance for tribal identification, land rights, and historical memory for both the Edomites and the Chronicler's audience.

• and Cheran:

  • Hebrew: וְכְרָן (Vəkĕrān).
  • The final son listed for Dishon in this verse. The exhaustive listing of these names illustrates the Chronicler's commitment to completeness, encompassing not only the descendants of Israel but also related nations like Edom, which were crucial players in Israel’s historical narrative.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "The sons of Anah: Dishon." This establishes a direct father-son relationship, which then branches out. It efficiently consolidates a branch of the genealogy before specifying its further divisions. It is precise and unambiguous in identifying the direct line.
  • "And the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran." This phrase provides the specific enumeration of Dishon’s direct male descendants. The careful listing of individual names indicates the significance of each for the clan structure and for maintaining detailed historical records. These names represent tribal heads or significant familial lines that were vital for understanding the Edomite socio-political landscape. The variations in naming (e.g., Hemdan vs. Aram) may also point to the dynamic nature of historical memory and nomenclature in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where a single individual might be known by multiple names or forms depending on the context or tradition being preserved.

1 Chronicles 1 41 Bonus section

The detailed genealogical lists in 1 Chronicles, including the brief mention of non-Israelite groups like the Edomites, served multiple vital functions for the post-exilic community in Judah. They helped establish legal claims to ancestral lands upon return from Babylonian captivity, ensure correct tribal affiliation for religious and civic roles (especially for the priesthood), and validate individual family identities in the resettled land. For the Chronicler, preserving this comprehensive historical record was crucial to affirm the continuity of God's covenant with His people, reminding them of His faithfulness through generations even in periods of national disruption. The very act of compiling these meticulous records was a theological statement: God’s plan unfolds through real people, real families, and real history. The slight variations between the genealogies in 1 Chronicles and those in Genesis, such as the Hemdan/Aram difference, demonstrate that the Chronicler was not simply transcribing but was a careful historian, using, consolidating, and presenting various authentic sources according to his theological and historical purpose.

1 Chronicles 1 41 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:41 is a succinct verse that provides a snapshot of the Edomite genealogy through the lineage of Anah and his son Dishon. Far from being a mere list, it represents the meticulous historical effort of the Chronicler to document the foundational families and chiefs not only of Israel but also of significant surrounding nations. This precision underscores the divinely ordered nature of history, where even the genealogies of those outside the direct Abrahamic covenant are deemed important enough for inspired record. The Chronicler's audience, a post-exilic community grappling with identity and continuity, would have found reassurance in such thoroughness, affirming God's faithfulness across generations and His comprehensive plan encompassing various peoples. The inclusion of the Edomite lines reminds them of their familial ties, however estranged, with peoples descending from Abraham’s family through Esau. Moreover, the presence of minor textual variations like 'Hemdan' in Chronicles versus 'Aram' in Genesis for the same person (Gen 36:26) indicates careful, perhaps interpretative, selection or a reflection of different sources by the Chronicler, emphasizing a dynamic, purposeful preservation of God’s historical narrative rather than a mere copying. Such genealogies laid the groundwork for understanding the claims to land, tribal status, and ultimately, the intricate path that led to the coming of the Messiah through the lineage of Abraham and David.