1 Chronicles 2 19

1 Chronicles 2:19 kjv

And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.

1 Chronicles 2:19 nkjv

When Azubah died, Caleb took Ephrath as his wife, who bore him Hur.

1 Chronicles 2:19 niv

When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur.

1 Chronicles 2:19 esv

When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur.

1 Chronicles 2:19 nlt

After Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrathah, and they had a son named Hur.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 19 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:19 details a specific event in the Judahite genealogy, focusing on Caleb, the son of Hezron. It states that after the death of his first wife, Azubah, Caleb married Ephrath. This union was significant because Ephrath bore him a son named Hur. This verse is critical in tracing the lineage of Judah, highlighting specific individuals who would contribute to the historical and spiritual development of Israel, particularly through Hur's descendants, like Bezalel, the chief artisan of the Tabernacle. The account underscores the importance of family continuity within God's divine plan for His people.

1 Chronicles 2 19 Context

First Chronicles chapter 2 is a crucial part of the extensive genealogical records (chapters 1-9) that open the book. This particular chapter meticulously traces the lineage of Judah, the tribe destined for kingship (from David onward) and, ultimately, from whom the Messiah would descend. For the post-exilic community, for whom the book of Chronicles was primarily written, these genealogies were indispensable. They served to re-establish identity, validate claims to tribal land, confirm eligibility for priestly or Levitical service, and reassure the people of their continuity within God's covenant plan, despite their period of exile. Verse 19 specifically describes a significant marital event in the life of Caleb, the son of Hezron, whose initial family structure was outlined in the preceding verse (1 Chr 2:18). The death of his first wife, Azubah, and his subsequent marriage to Ephrath are recorded not merely as biographical details, but as key moments in the perpetuation of this specific and vital Judahite lineage, ultimately highlighting the lineage of Hur, a direct ancestor of Bezalel.

1 Chronicles 2 19 Word analysis

• When Azubah died:

  • Azubah (עֲזוּבָה, Azuvah): Hebrew for "forsaken" or "abandoned." Her name's meaning symbolically reflects her departure through death, leaving Caleb as a widower. This detail shows life's realities, yet emphasizes God's enduring plan for continuity.
  • died (וַתָּמָת, vattamat): Hebrew for "and she died." A concise statement indicating a significant life event that shifts the narrative to the subsequent remarriage. It highlights the temporal reality within these divine records.

• Caleb took for himself Ephrath:

  • Caleb (כָּלֵב, Kalev): Specifically identified as "Caleb the son of Hezron" in 1 Chr 2:18. This Caleb is distinct from the more famous Caleb, son of Jephunneh (of Num and Josh), as their paternal lineages differ. This Caleb descends from Judah through Perez and Hezron, firmly rooting him in a pivotal Judahite lineage.
  • took for himself (וַיִּקַּח־ל֣וֹ, vayyiqqaḥ-lo): This Hebrew phrasing denotes the formal act of taking a wife, emphasizing Caleb's initiative and the establishment of a new, legitimate union crucial for perpetuating his family line.
  • Ephrath (אֶפְרָת, Ephrath): Hebrew meaning "fruitfulness" or "fertile land." Her name foreshadows the productive outcome of their marriage—the birth of Hur. It also importantly connects this specific genealogical line to "Ephrathah," the ancient name for Bethlehem (Mic 5:2), a city of profound Messianic significance.

• who bore him Hur:

  • bore him (וַתֵּלֶד־ל֥וֹ, vat-teled-lo): Hebrew for "and she gave birth to him." This directly states the crucial outcome of the marriage: the procreation of a significant son. The genealogies primarily serve to track these specific births.
  • Hur (חוּר, Ḥur): Hebrew, likely meaning "white," "noble," or "free." He is not a minor figure, but an ancestor to the prominent Bezalel (1 Chron 2:20; Exod 31:2), who was divinely gifted to build the Tabernacle. This immediate focus on Hur's birth points to his subsequent importance in Israel's history of worship and service.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "When Azubah died, Caleb took for himself Ephrath": This phrase marks a significant transition within Caleb's family. It highlights the cultural acceptance and necessity of remarriage, especially for men, to ensure the continuity of family lines and societal stability. In a theological sense, it implicitly demonstrates divine providence in preserving the chosen lineages even amidst the natural progression of life and death.
  • "Ephrath, who bore him Hur": This segment immediately establishes the direct, divinely purposed outcome of Caleb's new marriage. The focus on Hur’s birth immediately signals his critical role within the broader Judahite genealogy, ultimately leading to significant figures like Bezalel who directly contributed to Israel's sacred history and worship life.

1 Chronicles 2 19 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's intense focus on genealogies, particularly that of Judah, reflects a core concern for the post-exilic community's identity and hope. By painstakingly listing these connections, the Chronicler reassures his audience that they remain the legitimate heirs of God's covenants and part of His enduring plan, reinforcing a sense of continuity and divine faithfulness despite their experience of exile and dispersion.
• The connection between Ephrath and the place-name "Ephrathah" (or Bethlehem, which is synonymous in scripture as "Ephrathah, which is Bethlehem" Gen 35:19; Mic 5:2) provides a subtle, yet potent, layers of prophetic resonance. For the Jewish reader, knowing that Bethlehem (Ephrathah) would be the birthplace of the Messiah, Ephrath's presence in this key Judahite lineage quietly foreshadows God's ultimate fulfillment through this very tribal line.
• The meticulous detailing of wives and children in these genealogies highlights the patriarchal but family-centric structure of ancient Israelite society, where marriage and progeny were not just social or economic matters, but were intrinsically tied to the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant (e.g., numerous offspring). Each recorded birth contributed to the realization of God's promise to make of Israel a great nation.

1 Chronicles 2 19 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:19 is a concise yet deeply significant entry within the Judahite genealogies. It moves beyond a mere list of names, depicting a life event – the death of Caleb's first wife, Azubah, and his subsequent marriage to Ephrath. This narrative pause emphasizes the fluidity and continuity of family lines in ancient Israel, where the maintenance of lineage was paramount for tribal identity and the fulfillment of divine promises. The theological importance intensifies with the naming of Hur as the son born of this union. Hur is no ordinary ancestor; his offspring will include Bezalel, the chief architect and artisan divinely empowered to construct the Tabernacle (Exod 31). Therefore, this seemingly mundane genealogical entry quietly yet powerfully undergirds a vital stream of God's redemptive plan, linking family decisions and human events directly to the sacred spaces and personnel designated for divine worship. It illustrates God's sovereign oversight, ensuring that through specific family successions, vital aspects of Israel's national and spiritual life would be sustained.