1 Chronicles 2 17

1 Chronicles 2:17 kjv

And Abigail bare Amasa: and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmeelite.

1 Chronicles 2:17 nkjv

Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.

1 Chronicles 2:17 niv

Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.

1 Chronicles 2:17 esv

Abigail bore Amasa, and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.

1 Chronicles 2:17 nlt

Abigail married a man named Jether, an Ishmaelite, and they had a son named Amasa.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 17 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:17 states a specific genealogical detail within the lineage of King David, noting that Abigail, King David's sister, gave birth to Amasa, and that Amasa's father was Jether, who was identified as an Ishmaelite. This verse serves as a precise record of ancestry, contributing to the broader genealogical accounts found in the Book of Chronicles, which aim to establish and legitimize the lines of the twelve tribes, particularly the royal line of David and the priestly line. It provides essential familial context for a prominent figure, Amasa, who would later play a significant role in David's history.

1 Chronicles 2 17 Context

First Chronicles 2 opens with a detailed genealogy of the sons of Israel, quickly focusing on the tribe of Judah, from whom King David descended. The Chronicler meticulously traces the line, emphasizing Judah's prominence and particularly David's family. Verse 17 is situated within this comprehensive listing of David's brothers and sisters and their descendants. This context is crucial as it grounds Amasa's significant later role within the fabric of David's immediate kin. Genealogies in Chronicles serve to connect the post-exilic community to their ancestral roots, validate land claims, reinforce tribal identities, establish legitimacy for the Davidic kingship and the priesthood, and ensure continuity with God's covenant promises to Israel. The inclusion of an Ishmaelite father for Amasa, despite Ishmaelites generally being outside the Abrahamic covenant line through Isaac, is a noteworthy detail for its specific precision within the meticulous genealogical record.

1 Chronicles 2 17 Word analysis

• And: (וְ - ve) A conjunction indicating continuity, connecting this statement to the preceding genealogical entries.
• Abigail: (אֲבִיגַיִל - ʾAvigayil) A proper name meaning "my father is joy" or "my father is delight." This Abigail is David's sister (daughter of Nahash, 2 Sam 17:25), distinct from Abigail, Nabal's wife, who later became David's wife. The Chronicler provides this detail to ensure accurate familial identification within David's kin.
• bore: (יָלְדָה - yaldah) From the root ילד (yalad), meaning "to give birth." Simple, direct, and factual. In the context of genealogies, this verb is foundational, establishing parenthood and lineage.
• Amasa: (עֲמָשָׂא - ʿAmasahʾ) A proper name meaning "burden" or "load." Amasa becomes a prominent, though ultimately ill-fated, figure in the narrative of King David, serving as commander of Absalom's army and briefly appointed by David himself. His identity and lineage are vital for understanding later political and military developments within David's reign.
• and the father: (וַאֲבִי - vaʾăvî) Literally "and father of." Specifies the paternal lineage, completing the direct parental information. The emphasis on both parents, though short, is typical of these precise records.
• of Amasa: (עֲמָשָׂא - ʿAmasahʾ) Repetition of Amasa's name clearly links Jether as his father, providing unmistakable clarity for this line of descent.
• was Jether: (יֶתֶר - Yeter) A proper name meaning "abundance," "remainder," or "superiority." In the parallel account (2 Sam 17:25), he is called "Ithra the Israelite" (יִתְרָא הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִי - Yitra ha-Yisraʾeli), which some scholars reconcile by suggesting variant spellings or a conversion (where an Ishmaelite could be called an "Israelite" if integrated).
• the Ishmaelite: (הַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִי - ha-Yishmaʿelî) A key ethnic identifier. Descendant of Ishmael, Abraham's son through Hagar (Gen 16, 25). The designation "Ishmaelite" signifies a non-Israelite, or someone from outside the primary covenant lineage. The inclusion of this detail is significant:
  • Original Context & Literary Details: The Ishmaelites were historically neighbors to Israel, sometimes trading partners (Gen 37:25, 28) but often perceived as distinct or even hostile (Psa 83:6). For a significant figure in David's family to have an Ishmaelite father highlights a perhaps unusual or notable alliance or relationship, possibly indicating the pragmatic marriage patterns or border interactions of the time. This detail shows that the Davidic network was not ethnically homogenous, potentially preparing the reader for broader connections or alliances throughout the kingdom's history. It could subtly hint that God's plan encompassed elements beyond pure Israelite lineage in unique circumstances.
  • Polemics (Indirect): While not a direct polemic, this inclusion challenges any simplistic notion of the pure "Israelite" lineage. It emphasizes that even in a key line within the tribe of Judah leading to the monarchy, there could be external elements, demonstrating that God's purposes are fulfilled through complex human realities, rather than purely idealized scenarios. It implicitly reinforces the accurate recording of facts, however unconventional.

1 Chronicles 2 17 Bonus section

• Name Variant: The "Jether" here is identified as "Ithra the Israelite" in 2 Samuel 17:25. This variation (Jether/Ithra) is common for biblical names due to different transliterations or slight textual traditions, but the underlying individual is generally accepted as the same. The designation "Israelite" in Samuel's account versus "Ishmaelite" here in Chronicles poses an interesting textual point:
  • One interpretation is that Jether was an Ishmaelite by birth but had fully integrated into Israelite society, possibly even converting or residing amongst them, thus being referred to as an "Israelite" by association in one account.
  • Another possibility highlights the distinct perspectives of the two biblical books: Chronicles often provides more specific genealogical and ethnic identifiers, emphasizing origins, whereas Samuel might focus on immediate status within the political narrative.
• Significance of the "Ishmaelite" Tag: The fact that the Chronicler preserves this detail emphasizes the precise nature of the historical record. It underscores that King David's family, and indeed the broader kingdom of Israel, was not entirely ethnically insular, but included members from diverse backgrounds. This subtle inclusivity resonates with other biblical narratives that show non-Israelites (e.g., Rahab, Ruth, Uriah the Hittite) playing a role in God's redemptive history. It reminds the audience that divine purpose often works through the unexpected and through varied human connections.
• Lineage of Notable Figures: This verse ensures that the background of Amasa, who becomes a prominent military leader in Absalom's rebellion and is briefly made commander of David's army, is fully accounted for. The Chronicler's detail helps explain his position of influence due to familial ties with the royal family.

1 Chronicles 2 17 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:17, while seemingly a straightforward genealogical note, carries substantial weight within the Chronicler's meticulously compiled history. Its primary purpose is precise identification: it explicitly links Amasa, a key figure in King David's personal and political life, to David's sister, Abigail, establishing his status as David's nephew. This detail solidifies Amasa's right to his position and influence by clarifying his relationship to the royal house. The surprising inclusion of Jether as "the Ishmaelite" for Amasa's father is a crucial piece of information. This isn't just a casual detail; it points to a significant connection outside the traditional Israelite tribal lines within David's own extended family. This could signify strategic alliances, economic ties, or individual conversions or assimilation that occurred at the borders of Israel, where interactions with neighboring peoples like the Ishmaelites were common. It further adds to the rich and often complex tapestry of lineages that characterized ancient Israel. For the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, this verse, like others in the genealogies, ensured the accurate identification and authentication of individuals and families for tribal inheritance, priestly service, and royal legitimacy, showcasing the comprehensive nature of God's sovereign plan as revealed through history.