1 Chronicles 2 21

1 Chronicles 2:21 kjv

And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was threescore years old; and she bare him Segub.

1 Chronicles 2:21 nkjv

Now afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was sixty years old; and she bore him Segub.

1 Chronicles 2:21 niv

Later, Hezron, when he was sixty years old, married the daughter of Makir the father of Gilead. He made love to her, and she bore him Segub.

1 Chronicles 2:21 esv

Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was sixty years old, and she bore him Segub.

1 Chronicles 2:21 nlt

When Hezron was sixty years old, he married Gilead's sister, the daughter of Makir. They had a son named Segub.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 21 Meaning

This verse from 1 Chronicles 2:21 meticulously records a specific genealogical event within the tribe of Judah. It details that Hezron, a prominent descendant of Judah through Perez, entered into a marriage with an unnamed daughter of Machir, who is identified as "the father of Gilead." A significant detail provided is Hezron's age at the time of this marriage, sixty years old. From this union, their son Segub was born. This entry not only traces the lineage but also signifies a notable inter-tribal alliance, connecting the foundational tribe of Judah with the substantial Manassite clan associated with the Transjordanian territory of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 2 21 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 2 opens with the detailed genealogy of the sons of Israel, quickly moving to a particular focus on the lineage of Judah, from whom kings, including David, would arise. This chapter primarily records the extensive descendants of Judah, emphasizing the lineage of Perez, one of Judah's sons, and particularly his son Hezron. The Chronicler's intense focus on Judah and David's lineage is paramount because this work, written after the Babylonian exile, served to reassure the returning exiles of God's covenant faithfulness and their ongoing national and religious identity, tied intrinsically to the royal Davidic line and the temple worship.

Verse 21 is a specific insertion within the broader genealogical account of Hezron's descendants. It describes an unusual marital alliance. Genealogies in Chronicles were not merely lists; they served to establish claims to land, property, social status, and a continuous connection to God's promises. By detailing Hezron's marriage to Machir's daughter, this verse subtly reinforces historical tribal interconnections and territorial associations. Machir, identified as "the father of Gilead," was a foundational figure for the powerful Manassite clans inhabiting the crucial Transjordanian territory. The unusual detail of Hezron's age (sixty years) at this marriage highlights either the unexpected nature of the union or simply its noteworthy occurrence, suggesting a significant late-life event or possibly a second marriage, emphasizing the divine providence in ensuring the continuation of key family lines despite advanced age, mirroring earlier biblical narratives.

1 Chronicles 2 21 Word analysis

• And afterward (וְאַחַר – v'achar): This adverb signifies a temporal sequence, indicating that this marriage and the subsequent birth of Segub occurred at a later stage in Hezron's life, implying he may have had other family or experiences before this event (cf. 1 Chr 2:9).

• Hezron (חֶצְרוֹן – Khetsrōn): A key figure in the genealogy of Judah, he is the son of Perez and the great-grandson of Judah. His line is central to establishing the Davidic kingship.

• went in to (בָּא אֶל – ba' el): This is a common biblical euphemism for conjugal relations that establish or lead to a marriage and procreation. It denotes a legitimate and acknowledged marital union.

• the daughter of Machir (בַּת-מָכִיר – bat Machir): The anonymity of the wife is typical in Israelite genealogies where the focus is often patrilineal, emphasizing the male line. However, specifying her as "daughter of Machir" highlights her prominent ancestry from the tribe of Manasseh, especially considering Machir's importance.

• the father of Gilead (אֲבִי גִלְעָד – avi Gil'ad): This phrase crucially identifies Machir. While Gilead was Machir's literal son (Num 26:29), this phrase often implies that Machir was the progenitor or head of the powerful clan that dominated the territory of Gilead east of the Jordan. It ties the personal lineage to significant land holdings and tribal influence.

• whom he married (וְהוּא לְקָחָהּ – v'hu l'qachah): Literally "and he took her." This further confirms the formal nature of the union, indicating the established practice of the man "taking" a wife, cementing the legitimacy of the marriage.

• when he was sixty years old (בֶּן-שִׁשִּׁים שָׁנָה – ben shishshim shanah): This specific age is noteworthy. In ancient times, while not impossible, it was an advanced age for beginning a marriage that would produce offspring. It either indicates a second marriage for Hezron after other descendants (like Jerahmeel, Ram, Chelubai in 1 Chr 2:9) or underscores the divine blessing on his progeny despite his advanced years.

• and she bare him Segub (וַתֵּלֶד לוֹ אֶת-סְגֻב – va'teled lo et Seguv): The ultimate outcome of the union – the birth of a male heir, Segub, who would continue Hezron's line. The immediate follow-up to "sixty years old" highlights God's power in sustaining and extending a family line. Segub's descendant Jair (1 Chr 2:22) later possessed territory related to Gilead, further solidifying the significance of this inter-tribal connection.

• Word Group Analysis:

  • "Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead": This phrase describes an important marriage that bridged the prominent tribe of Judah (from which the Davidic dynasty emerged) with a powerful Manassite clan known for its significant territory east of the Jordan (Gilead). Such inter-tribal unions reinforced solidarity and potentially had political and territorial implications, representing a desired unity for all Israel.
  • "when he was sixty years old; and she bare him Segub": The pairing of Hezron's advanced age with the successful birth of Segub emphasizes God's providence and faithfulness in continuing the lineage, even against perceived natural limitations. This serves as a testament to God's sovereignty over life and progeny, reassuring a post-exilic audience about the enduring nature of their identity and future.

1 Chronicles 2 21 Bonus section

• Significance of the unnamed daughter: While seemingly minor, the unnamed nature of Machir's daughter focuses the genealogical entry on the male lines of inheritance and property, a common characteristic in biblical genealogies. However, her specific tribal affiliation (Manasseh via Machir) is clearly emphasized, showing the Chronicler's interest in documenting significant tribal intermarriages.
• Havvoth-Jair Connection: The son born from this union, Segub, would be the father of Jair (1 Chr 2:22), who acquired "three and twenty cities" in Gilead. This chain directly connects the Judahite lineage of Hezron to the Transjordanian territory known as "Havvoth-Jair," traditionally associated with the Manassite inheritance. This is a subtle yet powerful link that demonstrates the intertwined nature of tribal lines and land claims, crucial for Israel's identity and historical integrity.
• God's Sovereignty Over Generations: The Chronicler’s meticulous preservation of these genealogical records, especially details like age or specific unions, serves to demonstrate God’s faithful working through generations to fulfill His plans, culminating in the establishment of the Davidic kingdom and pointing ultimately towards the coming Messiah. Even seemingly minor or late-life events are part of His grand design.

1 Chronicles 2 21 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:21 serves as a concentrated detail within the extensive Judahite genealogy, highlighting not only the bare facts of lineage but also deeper theological and socio-political truths relevant to the Chronicler's post-exilic audience. Hezron's marriage to Machir's daughter, the progenitor of Gilead, represents a strategic link between the royal tribe of Judah and the formidable northern Manassite territory east of the Jordan. This connection would have been crucial for understanding land inheritance and national unity, emphasizing that the tribes, despite past divisions, remained part of a single, God-covenanted people.

The specific mention of Hezron being sixty years old is a unique and significant detail for the Chronicler, whose genealogies often lack such specific personal information. It could highlight the extraordinary nature of this particular union or divine favor enabling conception in old age, much like Abraham and Sarah or Zachariah and Elizabeth. This emphasis on continuing the lineage against apparent odds underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises of fruitfulness and progeny. For the returning exiles, this would have been a comforting reminder of God's power to restore and build up even from a state of decline or devastation. It ensures the Davidic line, to which the Chronicler is profoundly devoted, maintains its connections across the entirety of Israel's tribal land and heritage.