1 Chronicles 1 8

1 Chronicles 1:8 kjv

The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

1 Chronicles 1:8 nkjv

The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

1 Chronicles 1:8 niv

The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan.

1 Chronicles 1:8 esv

The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.

1 Chronicles 1:8 nlt

The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 8 Meaning

This verse establishes a crucial part of human lineage and the spread of nations following the global flood, specifically listing the direct sons of Ham. It connects the origins of significant ancient civilizations—Cush (ancient Ethiopia/Nubia), Egypt, Put (likely parts of Libya/North Africa), and Canaan (the land destined for Israel)—back to a common ancestor through Noah, demonstrating a singular divine origin for all humanity. In the context of 1 Chronicles, it contributes to the meticulous genealogical record intended to establish the identity and historical continuity of God's people, validating their covenant heritage by linking them to the earliest epochs of human history.

1 Chronicles 1 8 Context

First Chronicles opens with extensive genealogies, tracing humanity from Adam to Abraham, and then focusing on the lineage of Israel, particularly the royal line of David and the priestly line. This meticulous record served the post-exilic community returning to Judah. It affirmed their continuity as God's chosen people, validated their tribal land claims, and re-established the divine ordering of society, especially concerning the monarchy and temple service. Verse 8, within this initial segment (1 Chron 1:1-23), details the offspring of Ham, Noah's second son. By placing this list directly after Noah's children, the Chronicler situates Israel's lineage within the broader history of nations, emphasizing a common origin for all humanity. This also serves to acknowledge the presence and historical significance of the nations that were, and would continue to be, influential in Israel's past and future interactions, such as Egypt and the various tribes of Canaan. The listing of these nations as descendants of Ham subtly alludes to their historical roles, some of which (like Canaan) would become objects of divine judgment and disinheritance due to their spiritual depravity, in contrast to the divinely preserved line of Shem leading to Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 8 Word analysis

• The sons of Ham:
  • "sons" (בְּנֵי bənē): Indicates direct offspring, establishing lineage. Genealogies are fundamental in ancient cultures for identity, inheritance, and legitimacy.
  • "Ham" (חָם H̱ām): The second of Noah's three sons (Gen 5:32; 9:18). His name, possibly meaning "hot" or "dark-skinned," is often associated with the dark-skinned peoples of Africa and the Near East. Ham is central to the post-flood repopulation and is famously involved in the incident of Noah's nakedness, which results in the curse upon his son, Canaan (Gen 9:20-27). This lineage is therefore significant for understanding not just geographical dispersion but also elements of redemptive history.
• Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan:
  • These are presented as the foundational progenitors of four major historical and geographical regions, forming the core of Hamitic nations.
  • "Cush" (כּוּשׁ Kûsh): Traditionally associated with Nubia or ancient Ethiopia, a region south of Egypt, encompassing parts of modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia. A powerful and sometimes distant kingdom, Cush is mentioned in biblical prophecies as a notable people (e.g., Isa 18; Zeph 3:10). Its inclusion signifies the early spread of humanity into sub-Saharan Africa.
  • "Egypt" (מִצְרַיִם Mitzrayim): The Hebrew name for Egypt, referring to the powerful civilization along the Nile. This nation played a pivotal and often adversarial role in Israel's history—from the Abrahamic sojourn, the slavery and Exodus, to later alliances and conflicts (e.g., Gen 12, Exod, Isa 19). It was a symbol of world power and also a place from which God's people were called.
  • "Put" (פּוּט Puṭ): Its precise location is debated among scholars but is generally identified with parts of Libya or other regions in North Africa, west of Egypt (e.g., Ezek 27:10, 30:5; Nah 3:9). Put is frequently mentioned in conjunction with Cush and Egypt as part of powerful armies or nations of the ancient world, reinforcing the global reach of Ham's descendants.
  • "Canaan" (כְּנַעַן Kena‘an): The progenitor of the peoples who inhabited the land promised to Abraham and his descendants—the Land of Canaan, later Israel (e.g., Gen 12:5-7; Deut 7:1). Canaan, distinctively, was cursed by Noah, marking his descendants as uniquely subjected to judgment (Gen 9:25-27). This particular lineage directly sets up the biblical narrative of Israel's conquest and dispossessing of the idolatrous Canaanite nations, underscoring a divine mandate tied to the earlier covenant promises and moral issues.

1 Chronicles 1 8 Bonus section

The careful placement of this genealogy early in 1 Chronicles serves a multifaceted purpose beyond mere historical record. For the post-exilic community, knowing their origins through Noah connected them not only to Adam but also situated them firmly within the unfolding saga of nations after the flood. This global context underscored that the God of Israel was not merely a tribal deity but the sovereign Creator and Ruler of all peoples. The mention of nations like Egypt and Canaan from whom Israel had been delivered or against whom they had contended (and eventually displaced), served as a reminder of God's power and justice throughout history. It implicitly communicated God's faithfulness in bringing Israel out of Egypt and into Canaan, highlighting His covenant-keeping character by remembering the descendants of those whom He had judged or used in His divine plan.

1 Chronicles 1 8 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:8 succinctly delineates the four primary branches descending from Ham, the second son of Noah, serving as a critical genealogical link within the book's extensive historical record. This verse isn't merely a list; it is foundational, anchoring the subsequent narratives within a divinely ordered, singular human origin story, emphasizing God's sovereignty over the nations' dispersion and establishment. It highlights the vast geographical and historical reach of Ham's lineage, connecting nations that were both significant neighbors and antagonists to Israel's future. The inclusion of Cush, Egypt, and Put points to powerful, established civilizations that would engage in both trade and conflict with Israel, fulfilling roles in the broader divine plan. Most critically, "Canaan" identifies the specific group whose wickedness would necessitate their removal from the promised land, thereby making way for Israel to fulfill its covenant destiny. The briefness of this verse belies its profound significance in laying the groundwork for God's unfolding redemptive narrative through a particular people within a world populated by many, all sharing a common ancestor.