1 Chronicles 1 5

1 Chronicles 1:5 kjv

The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

1 Chronicles 1:5 nkjv

The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

1 Chronicles 1:5 niv

The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras.

1 Chronicles 1:5 esv

The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

1 Chronicles 1:5 nlt

The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 5 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:5 states, "The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan." This verse presents a concise genealogical list, identifying the four direct sons of Ham, one of Noah's three sons. These four individuals are presented as the progenitors of various peoples and nations in the ancient world, particularly those inhabiting North Africa and the Levant, regions closely intertwined with ancient Israel's history. This verse serves as a foundational link in the biblical record of human descent, stemming from the family that survived the great flood, leading to the vast array of global populations.

1 Chronicles 1 5 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 1 initiates the Chronicler's extensive genealogical record, which spans the first nine chapters of the book. Beginning with Adam, this genealogy meticulously traces humanity's descent, focusing on lines that lead eventually to the nation of Israel and specifically to the Davidic kingship. Verse 5 is part of the "Table of Nations," derived from Genesis 10, which systematically lists the descendants of Noah's three sons—Japheth, Ham, and Shem—from whom all post-Flood humanity descended.

This specific verse positions Ham's lineage within the broader framework of early human history. For the original post-exilic audience, this detailed ancestry reaffirmed their identity and heritage, connecting them to God's universal plan from creation. It highlighted God's sovereignty over all nations, some of whom (like Egypt/Mizraim and Canaan) would play crucial roles in Israel's past, present, and future interactions. By beginning with the universality of humanity and moving towards the particularity of Israel, the Chronicler reinforces that Israel's covenant relationship with the Lord is part of a larger divine purpose for all peoples.

1 Chronicles 1 5 Word analysis

• The sons of: (Hebrew: bənê) - Signifies direct lineal descent. In ancient societies, sons were vital for continuity, inheritance, and establishing family and tribal identity. Here, it denotes the foundation of new family groups that eventually grew into nations or significant tribal confederations. The genealogical structure emphasizes that all nations derive from a common ancestor (Noah), challenging polytheistic notions of multiple origins or distinct divine ancestries for different peoples.
• Ham: (Hebrew: ḥām) - One of Noah's three sons, who, along with his family, survived the great flood. While the precise etymology is debated, some suggest connections to "hot," "burnt," or "dark," which may relate to the geographical regions often associated with his descendants (e.g., Africa, the southern Mediterranean). Ham's lineage, through his son Canaan, is notably subject to a curse in Gen 9:20-27, a significant detail that shaped future biblical narratives concerning the peoples descended from Canaan. His prominence as a progenitor underscores a shared human lineage despite cultural and geographical divergences.
• Cush: (Hebrew: Kūš) - The first listed son of Ham. Generally identified with the ancient kingdom of Nubia or Ethiopia, located south of Egypt along the Nile River. The people of Cush (Cushites) are often depicted as strong, dark-skinned, and distant in biblical texts, interacting with Israel in various contexts (e.g., military allies, merchants, or sometimes adversaries).
• Mizraim: (Hebrew: Miṣrāyim) - The second son of Ham, identified with ancient Egypt. The name Miṣrāyim is a dual form in Hebrew, possibly alluding to the two distinct regions of Upper and Lower Egypt. Egypt was a colossal political, economic, and cultural force in the ancient Near East and a constant presence in Israel's history—from the sojourn of Jacob's family and the bondage under Pharaohs, to the Exodus, and later through various treaties and conflicts.
• Put: (Hebrew: Pūṭ) - The third son of Ham. The identity of this nation is debated, but it is widely associated with ancient Libya or peoples dwelling to the west of Egypt in North Africa. In biblical texts, Put is frequently mentioned alongside Cush and Mizraim as a distant nation often allied with Egypt. Its precise geographical location remains less certain compared to Cush and Mizraim, reflecting its likely distance and distinctness from Israel's immediate sphere.
• Canaan: (Hebrew: Kəna‘an) - The fourth and final son of Ham mentioned here. Canaan's descendants populated the land promised by God to Abraham and his offspring—the land that would become Israel. The "Canaanites" were the primary inhabitants of this region prior to and during the Israelite conquest. Due to his role in Noah's curse and the subsequent command to Israel to dispossess the Canaanites for their idolatrous practices, this lineage carried significant historical and theological weight for the people of Israel, serving as a reminder of God's judgment on unrighteousness and His covenant faithfulness to His chosen people.

1 Chronicles 1 5 Bonus section

The Chronicler's emphasis on genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1, faithfully reproducing the "Table of Nations" from Genesis 10, highlights a specific theological agenda for a post-exilic audience. Beyond historical record-keeping, this serves to validate the continuity of God's people and His promises despite national disaster (the exile). It connects the returnees back to the very source of humanity, reminding them that their lineage is ancient, divinely ordered, and part of a singular human family stemming from Noah. This detail establishes a universal scope before narrowing to the particular covenant people, reinforcing the idea that the God of Israel is also the God of all nations. The systematic organization of nations also serves an apologetic purpose, implicitly refuting polytheistic worldviews prevalent in surrounding cultures by positing a singular human origin under the one true God. The listing of specific nations also provides context for God's providential governance over world powers.

1 Chronicles 1 5 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:5, though seemingly a simple list, is profoundly significant. It continues the grand narrative of human origins, demonstrating the diversity of nations while upholding their common descent from Noah through Ham. This meticulous genealogical accounting, repeated from Genesis, was not a mere historical curiosity for the post-exilic Jewish community; it was a cornerstone of their identity. It reaffirmed that God is the sovereign Creator and ordainer of all nations, not just Israel.

By detailing the progeny of Ham, particularly Cush (Ethiopia), Mizraim (Egypt), Put (Libya), and Canaan, the Chronicler delineates peoples and regions that were deeply interwoven with Israel's past and prophetic future. These nations represented both adversaries and sometimes distant trading partners. The inclusion of Canaan, from whom the inhabitants of the Promised Land sprang, provides immediate context for the later conquest narratives and the theological imperative for Israel's settlement.

This verse ultimately grounds the identity of Israel within universal history, highlighting God's ordered world and His meticulous recording of human lineage. It subtly counters any notion that nations arose haphazardly or from multiple, competing deities, instead asserting the monotheistic truth of one Creator. The subsequent historical unfolding of divine redemption through a particular line (Abraham, David) is always framed within this broader tapestry of human origins, reminding us that God's plan for Israel is nested within His overarching plan for all humanity.