1 Chronicles 1 50

1 Chronicles 1:50 kjv

And when Baalhanan was dead, Hadad reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pai; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

1 Chronicles 1:50 nkjv

And when Baal-Hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife's name was Mehetabel the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

1 Chronicles 1:50 niv

When Baal-Hanan died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab.

1 Chronicles 1:50 esv

Baal-hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place, the name of his city being Pai; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

1 Chronicles 1:50 nlt

When Baal-hanan died, Hadad became king in his place and ruled from the city of Pau. His wife was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Me-zahab.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 50 Meaning

First Chronicles 1:50 states that Hadad, one of the ancient kings of Edom, passed away, and his kingship was immediately taken over by Samlah, who hailed from Masrekah. This verse serves as a concise record of a royal succession within the Edomite lineage, documenting the ongoing flow of authority and historical continuity among a nation neighboring early Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 50 Context

1 Chronicles 1:50 is situated within the lengthy genealogies that commence the book of Chronicles. Specifically, it is part of a list of eight Edomite kings who reigned "before any king reigned over the sons of Israel" (1 Chr 1:43). These verses (1 Chr 1:43-50) are almost a direct copy of Gen 36:31-39, serving to ground Israel's history within a broader, meticulously recorded global and regional lineage, tracing back to Adam. The immediate context of 1 Chronicles is establishing historical legitimacy and identity for the post-exilic Jewish community, emphasizing continuity, divine sovereignty over all nations (even non-Israelite ones), and preparing the reader for the detailed focus on the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah, leading eventually to the Messiah. By including these details about Edomite kings, the Chronicler reinforces a comprehensive historical perspective and shows that succession, both in Israel and among other nations, is part of a divinely ordered world.

1 Chronicles 1 50 Word analysis

• And (וַיָּמָת / va•ya•mat): This "and" acts as a conjunctive waw, typically translated "and" or "then," indicating a sequence of events. It ties this particular record of succession directly to the preceding kings mentioned.
• Hadad (הָדָד / Hā•ḏāḏ): This is a proper noun, the name of an Edomite king. In ancient West Semitic cultures, names related to "Hadad" (a storm god, often associated with Baal) were common. There are multiple figures named Hadad in the Bible (including an Edomite prince who caused trouble for Solomon, 1 Kgs 11:14-25), indicating it might have been a fairly common or dynastic name. Here, it refers to a specific predecessor king of Edom.
• died (מָת / mat): The verb "to die" (מוּת / mût). This signifies the end of a human life and, in this context, the end of a king's reign. Its simple statement underscores the universal inevitability of death, even for powerful rulers, setting the stage for the transition of power.
• And (וַיִּמְלֹךְ / va•yim•lōḵ): Again, a conjunctive waw.
• Samlah (שָׂמְלָה / Sām•lāh): A proper noun, the name of the succeeding king. The name's etymology might be related to a "garment" or "cloak," though this isn't directly significant to the text's purpose here beyond being the king's name. His brief mention signifies a new individual taking up the reins of leadership.
• of Masrekah (מִמַּשְׂרֵקָה / mim•maś•rê•qāh): This phrase indicates Samlah's origin, likely a town or region within Edom. Masrekah's exact location is unknown, but its inclusion serves to uniquely identify Samlah, providing geographical precision. The name "Masrekah" (מַשְׂרֵקָה / maśrêqāh) is sometimes associated with "a choice vineyard" or "stripping/combing (of vines)," suggesting a place known for viticulture or agricultural activity.
• reigned (מָלַךְ / mā•laḵ): The verb "to reign, to be king." This signifies the active assumption of royal authority and the exercise of power. It indicates the continuity of the institution of kingship in Edom despite individual deaths.
• in his place (תַּחְתָּיו / taḥ•tāw): This prepositional phrase means "under him" or "in his stead/place." It is a common formula in ancient Near Eastern royal annals and biblical narratives to denote direct succession. It explicitly states that Samlah assumed the exact position and authority previously held by Hadad.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Hadad died": This short phrase marks a complete historical event – the cessation of a specific reign and life. It points to the limited tenure of human power and the inevitability of mortality even for monarchs.
• "And Samlah...reigned in his place": This phrase marks the subsequent historical event – the smooth, uninterrupted transfer of power. It emphasizes the continuity of the office of kingship and the orderliness of succession, even if it is simply stating a fact about foreign kings. The phrase "in his place" makes it clear that one individual directly replaced the other as the ruler of Edom.

1 Chronicles 1 50 Bonus section

The inclusion of this specific Edomite genealogy, almost verbatim from Genesis 36, is vital for the Chronicler's larger theological and historical project. While the immediate audience was concerned with their own lineage, homeland, and re-establishment of the Temple, understanding the stability (or instability) of their neighbors' history was important for context.

• Contrast with Israel: Edom had an established monarchy (a "king" who reigned over them) before Israel did, who initially were governed by judges. This demonstrates different historical paths for different nations.
• Chronicler's meticulousness: This verse exemplifies the Chronicler's deep interest in accurate and comprehensive historical records, not just for Israel but for the known world around it, extending the scope of God's dealings.
• Building a complete narrative: These genealogies serve as foundational historical building blocks, tracing humanity from creation to the specific family lines relevant to Israel's restoration. They connect the present (post-exilic) community to God's ancient promises and divine ordering of the world.

1 Chronicles 1 50 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:50 is a terse yet significant record within the Chronicler's sweeping historical survey. Its inclusion highlights the meticulous attention paid to genealogies and royal successions, not just within Israel but also among surrounding nations like Edom. For the post-exilic audience, this validated their historical continuity and demonstrated God's sovereign oversight even beyond their immediate lineage. The concise "he died; ...reigned in his place" formula, repeated for each king in the sequence, underscores the ephemeral nature of individual reigns compared to the enduring office of kingship itself, an institution divinely ordained in the broader biblical narrative for order and governance. It demonstrates that the world did not stop with one ruler's death, but governance and divine purposes continued through a succession of leaders. It also establishes the full regional historical context before focusing on the main narrative of Israel, Judah, and the Davidic line.