1 Chronicles 1 6

1 Chronicles 1:6 kjv

And the sons of Gomer; Ashchenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.

1 Chronicles 1:6 nkjv

The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.

1 Chronicles 1:6 niv

The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah.

1 Chronicles 1:6 esv

The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

1 Chronicles 1:6 nlt

The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 6 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:6 lists the three direct sons of Gomer, who himself was a son of Japheth and a grandson of Noah. These individuals — Ashchenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah — represent the progenitors of various ancient nations and peoples, thereby illustrating the spread of humanity after the Flood, particularly those dwelling to the north and northwest of ancient Israel. The verse acts as a record of foundational lineages for the entire human race.

1 Chronicles 1 6 Context

This verse is situated within the expansive genealogical records that open the book of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9). This section functions as a foundational overview of human history, tracing lineages from Adam to the returning exiles in post-Babylonian Judah. For its primary audience—the Israelite community that had returned from exile—these genealogies were not mere dry lists. They served critical purposes: validating their heritage, establishing legal claims to land, confirming the purity of priestly and royal lines, and reinforcing their identity as God’s covenant people amidst surrounding Gentile nations.

Specifically, 1 Chronicles 1:6 continues the listing of the sons of Japheth, initiating a systematic record of the diverse branches of the human family as descended from Noah. The detailed nature of these lists underscores God's meticulous oversight of human history and the fulfillment of His command for humanity to fill the earth.

1 Chronicles 1 6 Word analysis

• And (וְ - we): A simple conjunction, connecting this list of Gomer's sons to the preceding mention of Japheth's sons in verse 5. It signifies continuity in the lineage, part of a flowing, interconnected family tree.
• the sons of (בְּנֵי - bᵉnê): This phrase indicates direct, paternal descent, establishing genealogical links that were crucial for identity, inheritance, and social structure in ancient Israelite society. The emphasis on "sons" reflects the patrilineal system of tracing family lines.
• Gomer (גֹּמֶר - Gōmer): Son of Japheth (Gen 10:2). Gomer is widely identified with the Cimmerians, an ancient Indo-European people group. Historically, the Cimmerians migrated from south Russia into regions north of the Black Sea and then into Anatolia (modern Turkey) and northern Mesopotamia during the 8th to 7th centuries BCE. Prophetic passages, particularly in Ezekiel (e.g., Eze 38:6), portray Gomer as originating from the "far north," aligning with their historical geographical association.
• Ashchenaz (אַשְׁכְּנַז - Ashkᵉnaz): One of the sons of Gomer. Ashchenaz is often associated with the Scythians, a formidable nomadic people known for their equestrian skills, who inhabited the vast Eurasian steppes (modern Ukraine and southern Russia). Jeremiah 51:27 places Ashkenaz in the region near Ararat and Minni, suggesting a presence in ancient Armenia or surrounding northern areas, consistent with the migratory patterns of peoples connected to the Cimmerians and Scythians. The later medieval association of "Ashkenazi" with German-Jewish communities is a much later historical development and does not directly relate to this biblical figure's immediate context.
• Riphath (רִיפַת - Rîphaṯ): Son of Gomer. This name presents a textual variant; some ancient manuscripts of Genesis 10:3 (notably the Septuagint and Samaritan Pentateuch) read "Diphath" (דִּיפַת - Dîphaṯ). The Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew text) consistently has Riphath. The exact geographical or ethnic identification of the people descended from Riphath is less certain compared to Ashchenaz and Togarmah. Theories link them to certain European or northern regions, but without clear historical confirmation, their identity remains speculative, representing perhaps a less prominent or distinct branch of Gomer's descendants.
• Togarmah (תּוֹגַרְמָה - Tōgarmāh): Son of Gomer. Togarmah is strongly associated with ancient groups in Eastern Anatolia (parts of modern Turkey) and Armenia. This connection is supported by Armenian traditions which link their ancestry to Torgom, paralleling the biblical Togarmah. Ezekiel's prophecies (Eze 27:14 and 38:6) reinforce Togarmah's identity as a significant group from the "far north," noted for trading horses and mules (Eze 27:14) and appearing as a formidable military ally of Gog (Eze 38:6).

• "the sons of Gomer": This phrase groups three distinct individuals and their nascent people groups under the direct progeny of Gomer, thereby categorizing them under the broader Japhethic lineage. It serves to show the diversification and proliferation of nations originating from a common ancestor.
• "Ashchenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah": This triad highlights the early branches stemming from Gomer. Their specific mentions reflect ancient Israel's knowledge of these northern and northwestern peoples, who, despite their distance, would feature in their broader world, sometimes in commerce and at other times in prophecy, particularly concerning end-time scenarios.

1 Chronicles 1 6 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's primary goal in compiling these genealogies was to underscore the continuity of God's covenant and promises from creation through Noah, Abraham, and ultimately to David and the priesthood, providing legitimacy and identity for the returning exiles. These non-Israelite lists demonstrate that God's overarching plan encompasses all humanity.
• The identification of Gomer with the Cimmerians, Ashchenaz with the Scythians, and Togarmah with parts of Anatolia and Armenia illustrates the extent of ancient Israel's geographical and ethnographic knowledge of the world. These were real peoples with whom Israel's larger regional neighbors interacted, some featuring prominently in trade (like Togarmah with horses) or military threats.
• The textual variation between "Riphath" (1 Chr 1:6) and "Diphath" (Gen 10:3, in some versions) highlights the fluid nature of ancient manuscript transmission. Such differences are generally minor phonetic shifts and do not alter the theological message, serving primarily as points of interest for textual critics. The Chronicler likely drew from a variant text tradition or had his own stylistic preference.
• While the Book of Chronicles provides genealogies to affirm continuity and identity for Israel, the overarching message of a common ancestor in Adam and Noah lays a theological foundation for the universal reach of God's redemption and the unity of humankind, transcending any later cultural or ethnic divides.

1 Chronicles 1 6 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:6 serves as a continuation of the meticulous genealogical framework established by the Chronicler, tracing humanity from its primordial roots following the Flood. By listing Gomer's three sons—Ashchenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah—the text solidifies the biblical understanding of a single point of origin for all peoples. This verse, though brief, carries significant weight in its contribution to the historical and theological narrative. It anchors the dispersed nations of the world to the household of Noah, reinforcing the idea of divine order and sovereignty over the spread of humankind.

For the post-exilic Israelite audience, these seemingly obscure names would have signified the vast scope of the known world, encompassing the peoples from the north who were historically powerful and occasionally interactive with Israel (as evidenced by later prophetic references). The inclusion of such detailed, global genealogies within a book primarily focused on Israel's identity and its Davidic monarchy provided a universal backdrop for Israel's unique calling. It implied that God’s plan involved not just His chosen nation but had implications for all nations descended from a common ancestor.

Practically, this verse reminds believers that despite ethnic and cultural differences, all humanity shares a common origin under God, promoting a holistic view of human history. It sets the stage for God's ultimate plan to redeem people from "every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev 5:9), including the descendants of these ancient lines.