1 Chronicles 1 46

1 Chronicles 1:46 kjv

And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.

1 Chronicles 1:46 nkjv

And when Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who attacked Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.

1 Chronicles 1:46 niv

When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.

1 Chronicles 1:46 esv

Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith.

1 Chronicles 1:46 nlt

When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad became king in his place and ruled from the city of Avith. He was the one who destroyed the Midianite army in the land of Moab.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 46 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:46 details the succession in the kingship of Edom following the death of King Husham. It records that Hadad, son of Bedad, became the next king. The verse highlights Hadad's notable achievement: his decisive victory over Midian in the territory of Moab. It concludes by naming his capital city as Avith, providing a specific geographical anchor to his reign. This information is part of the extensive genealogical records preserved by the Chronicler.

1 Chronicles 1 46 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 1 provides a sprawling genealogy, beginning with Adam and systematically tracing the lines of humanity through various patriarchs, ultimately leading to the sons of Jacob (Israel). The chapter aims to establish the historical continuity of God's people and God's faithfulness across generations. Within this comprehensive record, a section is dedicated to the descendants of Esau (Edom), from verses 34 to 54. This specific section, including verse 46, details the list of Edomite kings who reigned before any king ruled over Israel (1 Chr 1:43).

Historically, Edom was a powerful kingdom located southeast of the Dead Sea in a mountainous region known as Seir. Its listing here highlights its significance as a contemporary, distinct kingdom from early Israel, even though Edom was ancestrally related to Israel through Isaac's sons. The Chronicler, writing in the post-exilic period, aimed to reinforce the identity and heritage of the returning Jewish community by reaffirming their historical roots and God's work in history, encompassing even interactions with neighboring nations. This includes identifying a period when non-Israelite kings held power before Israel itself established a monarchy, showing that God's plan unfolds amidst the wider sweep of world history.

1 Chronicles 1 46 Word analysis

• When Husham died,: וַיָּמָת חֻשָׁם (vayyamot Chusham).

  • וַיָּמָת (vayyamot): "And he died." This is a standard Hebrew narrative perfect tense (waw-consecutive) indicating a past, completed action. It marks a transition point in the monarchy. The inevitability of death affects all, including kings.
  • חֻשָׁם (Chusham): The previous Edomite king. His name implies no specific religious meaning, simply a historical marker.

• Hadad son of Bedad,: הֲדָד בֶּן־בְּדַד (Hadad ben-Bedad).

  • הֲדָד (Hadad): A common Semitic name. In Canaanite and Aramean mythology, Hadad was often associated with a storm god, equivalent to Baal. While the name carries pagan associations, its use in a biblical genealogy signifies that even those with such names are part of the larger divine narrative and historical record compiled by Israel, placing their actions under God's ultimate authority rather than acknowledging any pagan deity's power. This recontextualizes foreign figures within a YHWH-centric worldview.
  • בֶּן־בְּדַד (ben-Bedad): "son of Bedad." A standard Hebrew patronymic identifier, establishing lineage. Bedad is an otherwise unknown figure, indicating the distinct lineage of this Hadad.

• who defeated Midian: הַמַּכֶּה אֶת־מִדְיָן (hammakkeh 'et-Midyan).

  • הַמַּכֶּה (hammakkeh): "the one who struck/defeated." This is a definite article with a Qal active participle, emphasizing the characteristic or renowned action of Hadad. It portrays him as a powerful warrior.
  • אֶת־מִדְיָן ('et-Midyan): "Midian." The Midianites were a prominent tribal confederation inhabiting regions across northwestern Arabia, the Sinai, and Transjordan. They had notable interactions with Israel, often antagonistic (e.g., Num 25, 31). For an Edomite king to defeat Midian was a significant military achievement, showcasing his strength and perhaps contributing to regional stability (from Edom's perspective) by neutralizing a common regional power.

• in the country of Moab,: בִּשְׂדֵה מוֹאָב (bish'de Moab).

  • בִּשְׂדֵה (bish'de): "in the field of" or "in the territory/country of." Specifies the location of Hadad's significant victory, highlighting the geographical scope of his influence or where a key battle took place.
  • מוֹאָב (Moab): A nation east of the Dead Sea, culturally and linguistically related to Israel, descended from Lot (Gen 19:37). Their territory was often a significant stage for regional conflicts, including those involving Midian. That an Edomite king achieved victory over Midian in Moab suggests either an alliance, a wider conflict zone, or even Edomite expansion into Moabite territory or their strategic interest there.

• succeeded him as king.: וַיִּמְלֹךְ תַּחְתָּיו (vayyimloch tach'tav).

  • וַיִּמְלֹךְ (vayyimloch): "and he reigned." A common verb for assuming kingship.
  • תַּחְתָּיו (tach'tav): "in his place," or "after him." Denotes direct succession and continuity of the royal line or office.

• The name of his city was Avith.: וְשֵׁם עִירוֹ עֲוִית (v'shem iro 'Avit).

  • וְשֵׁם עִירוֹ (v'shem iro): "and the name of his city." Specifies the capital or ruling seat. Providing the city name anchors the historical record and verifies the location of Hadad's power.
  • עֲוִית ('Avit): Avith. The specific location of Avith is not precisely known today, but it was undoubtedly a significant administrative or residential center for Hadad's rule, situated within or close to the Edomite kingdom.

1 Chronicles 1 46 Bonus section

• The inclusion of Edomite kings "before any Israelite king reigned" (1 Chr 1:43) is a subtle yet significant detail. It contextualizes the development of kingship, placing Israel's future monarchy within a regional historical timeline where other nations, like Edom, had already established their royal lines. This highlights God's unique covenantal relationship with Israel regarding kingship while acknowledging the common practice of kingship in the wider world.
• The fact that the Chronicler copied this verse almost verbatim from Genesis underscores the strong link between the Pentateuchal narratives and the historical accounts of Chronicles. It shows reverence for earlier sacred texts and emphasizes the continuity of God's historical revelation.
• The detail of Avith being Hadad's city is typical of biblical genealogies that often anchor names with geographical details. While Avith's exact location remains archaeologically unconfirmed by some scholars, its mention confirms a concrete, known place for the original audience, grounding these historical figures in a tangible reality.
• The genealogy, though seeming dry, provides essential historical infrastructure. It legitimizes God's actions through history by tracing lineage, proving His faithfulness through generations. For the post-exilic community, such lists confirmed their identity, land claims, and the divine right of the Davidic line to the throne.

1 Chronicles 1 46 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:46, while appearing as a mere line in a lengthy genealogy, offers insightful details into ancient Near Eastern kingship and regional geopolitics. Its direct replication from Genesis 36:35 signifies the Chronicler's commitment to faithfully preserving earlier scriptural records, underlining the authenticity and historical grounding of his work for the post-exilic community.

This verse details the transition of power in Edom from King Husham to Hadad son of Bedad. What sets Hadad apart in this dry list of names is the parenthetical phrase describing his defining achievement: his defeat of Midian in the territory of Moab. This note is significant; it indicates that these genealogies are not merely abstract lists but touch upon tangible historical events and powerful figures who shaped the ancient world. Midianites were formidable tribal groups, often associated with nomadic traders and warriors, and importantly, with the oppression and moral corruption of Israel at various points (e.g., Numbers 25). Hadad's triumph over them in Moab demonstrates his military prowess and solidifies his stature as a successful ruler, underscoring that strength and dominion were hallmarks of kings, whether Israelite or Edomite. The geographical specificity of "the country of Moab" provides further historical detail, sketching out the contested landscape of tribal and national interactions in Transjordan.

For the Chronicler, including these genealogies—even of non-Israelite kings—serves a profound theological and historical purpose. It shows that God's sovereign hand is active not only within Israel but across all nations and their rulers (Ps 33:10-11, Dan 2:21). The rise and fall of kings, the triumphs and defeats, all unfold within the broader tapestry of God's overarching plan for humanity. By meticulously documenting such details, the Chronicler rooted the returning exiles firmly in a robust, historically grounded narrative of God's interaction with the world, reinforcing their identity and reminding them that their own history was part of a larger divine narrative that encompasses even nations hostile to Israel. This was important for a community grappling with questions of identity, land, and sovereignty after the Babylonian exile.