1 Chronicles 1 9

1 Chronicles 1:9 kjv

And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raamah, and Sabtecha. And the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.

1 Chronicles 1:9 nkjv

The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabtecha. The sons of Raama were Sheba and Dedan.

1 Chronicles 1:9 niv

The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

1 Chronicles 1:9 esv

The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

1 Chronicles 1:9 nlt

The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 9 Meaning

1 Chronicles 1:9 details a portion of the post-Flood lineage, specifically tracing some of the descendants of Noah's son Ham, through his son Cush. It lists Cush's five direct sons—Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca—and then further specifies two grandsons through Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. This verse functions as a genealogical record, establishing the early nations and tribes from whom many peoples of the ancient world originated, setting the historical foundation before narrowing the focus to the covenant people of Israel.

1 Chronicles 1 9 Context

1 Chronicles 1:9 is embedded within the lengthy genealogical lists that comprise the first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles. This introductory section establishes the historical continuity of humanity from Adam, through Noah and his sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), down to the patriarchal line of Israel. Specifically, verse 9 falls within the descendants of Ham, continuing from verse 8 which listed Ham's direct sons. This extensive genealogical framework served a vital purpose for the post-exilic Jewish community: to re-establish their identity, continuity with God's covenant promises, rightful claims to the land, and the legitimacy of the priesthood and Davidic monarchy by meticulously tracing the lines from the earliest known ancestors. It links Israel to the broader sweep of human history, while systematically narrowing the focus toward the chosen people.

1 Chronicles 1 9 Word analysis

• These (אֵלֶּה, elleh): A demonstrative pronoun, simply means "these," linking back to the previous context, signaling the continuation of the lineage enumeration for Ham's descendants.
• were the sons of (בְּנֵי, benei): A construct state meaning "sons of," indicating direct patrilineal descent and serving as the foundational relational marker in all genealogies.
• Cush (כּוּשׁ, Kush): One of the four sons of Ham (Gen 10:6). Often associated with ancient Ethiopia or Nubia, a region south of Egypt. The listing of his sons highlights the foundational ancestry of many African and Arabian peoples.
• Seba (סְבָא, Seba): A son of Cush. Mentioned separately from Sheba. Its geographical location is debated, potentially in North Africa or southern Arabia.
• Havilah (חֲוִילָה, Ḥavilāh): A son of Cush. Distinct from the Havilah in Genesis 2 where gold is found. This Havilah likely refers to a region in the Arabian Peninsula, illustrating the spread of Cushite descendants beyond traditional "Ethiopian" lands.
• Sabtah (סַבְתָּא, Sabetā’): A son of Cush. Its specific historical or geographical identification as a nation or people group is less certain than other names listed.
• Raamah (רַעְמָא, Ra‘māh): A son of Cush. This lineage gains prominence because it directly leads to Sheba and Dedan, indicating a historically more significant line among Cush's descendants. Associated with significant trade routes in later biblical references.
• Sabteca (סַבְתְּכָא, Sabtekā’): A son of Cush. Similar to Sabtah, less definite in terms of its clear historical identification as a major people group.
• The sons of Raamah were (וּבְנֵי רַעְמָה, u-benei Ra‘māh): This phrase shifts the focus to a specific branch, emphasizing the grandsons of Cush through Raamah. This kind of secondary listing often highlights lineages that become historically notable.
• Sheba (שְׁבָא, Sheva): A son of Raamah, and thus a grandson of Cush. This is a very prominent name in the ancient Near East, historically associated with a wealthy kingdom in Yemen/Southern Arabia, famed for its spices, gold, and frankincense. Often linked with the Queen of Sheba who visited Solomon. The biblical text carefully distinguishes it from "Seba."
• Dedan (וּדְדָן, u-Dēdan): A son of Raamah, and a grandson of Cush. Frequently mentioned alongside Sheba in prophetic and trade contexts. Located in North Arabia, known for trade and sometimes subject to prophetic judgments.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "These were the sons of Cush:": This initial phrase grounds the list within the family of Cush, indicating the continuation of a lineage specific to one branch of Noah's descendants. It sets the scope of the immediate record that follows.
• "Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca.": This enumerate list constitutes the immediate and direct male offspring of Cush. Their names represent foundational tribes or peoples whose spread contributes to the overall population of the early world, as outlined in the Table of Nations, laying the groundwork for subsequent interactions between various peoples and ultimately Israel.
• "The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.": This specifies a second generation from Cush, highlighting two particular grandsons. The mention of Sheba and Dedan specifically signifies nations that would later become known for their commercial activity and geographic location, providing tangible historical connections and foreshadowing their roles in later biblical narratives, especially prophetic and trade-related contexts.

1 Chronicles 1 9 Bonus section

• Historical Mapping: Scholars and archaeologists have made significant efforts to geographically locate the descendants listed from Cush. The association of Cush with areas south of Egypt (Ethiopia/Nubia) and the strong links of Sheba and Dedan to southern and northern Arabia indicate a broad sweep of Cushite influence, ranging across Northeast Africa and into the Arabian Peninsula, often connected by ancient trade routes.
• Completeness of Record: While Chronicles adapts and abbreviates the Genesis 10 account, its inclusion of such early, seemingly unrelated genealogies underscores the Chronicler's intent to present a continuous, overarching history from creation to their present time. This serves to establish Israel’s lineage within the complete unfolding of human history as understood divinely.
• Prophetic Significance of Mentioned Nations: Several nations originating from Cush (e.g., Sheba, Seba, Cush) appear in later biblical prophecies concerning the ingathering of Gentiles or global tribute to God, highlighting that God’s plan encompasses all peoples, not just Israel (e.g., Psa 72:10; Isa 43:3; Zeph 3:10). The inclusion of their ancestral line here therefore quietly lays groundwork for such future theological implications.

1 Chronicles 1 9 Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:9 is more than a simple listing of names; it serves as a crucial building block in the biblical narrative's comprehensive historical framework. By detailing the progeny of Cush, a son of Ham, the verse participates in the broader "Table of Nations," which genealogically maps out the initial population of the earth after the flood. This precise record demonstrates the divine ordering of nations and the meticulous care with which God oversees humanity's development. For the returning exiles, this particular lineage, though non-Israelite, contextualized their place within a globally populated world and affirmed that all peoples derive from a common ancestor—Noah—before the focus narrowed to Abraham and Israel. The Chronicler's inclusion of names like Sheba and Dedan, who later emerged as prominent trading nations or subjects of prophecy, demonstrates the historicity and predictive power inherent in the ancient biblical texts, revealing God's awareness and sovereignty over the movements and destinies of all peoples. It serves as a reminder that the seemingly "dry" sections of scripture often contain deep historical and theological significance, linking foundational origins to the unfolding divine plan for human history.