1 Chronicles 2 25

1 Chronicles 2:25 kjv

And the sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron were, Ram the firstborn, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, and Ahijah.

1 Chronicles 2:25 nkjv

The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, were Ram, the firstborn, and Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.

1 Chronicles 2:25 niv

The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron: Ram his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem and Ahijah.

1 Chronicles 2:25 esv

The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron: Ram, his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.

1 Chronicles 2:25 nlt

The sons of Jerahmeel, the oldest son of Hezron, were Ram (the firstborn), Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 25 Meaning

1 Chronicles chapter 2, verse 25 details the immediate descendants of Jerahmeel, who was the firstborn son of Hezron, himself a key descendant of Judah. The verse states that Jerahmeel's firstborn son was Ram, followed by Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. This specific entry is part of the Chronicler's meticulous genealogies, emphasizing the preservation and identity of the post-exilic community by connecting them to their tribal and ancestral roots within Israel. It serves as a record of a specific branch of the tribe of Judah, establishing lineage and identity, which was crucial for tribal cohesion, land claims, and understanding the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

1 Chronicles 2 25 Context

1 Chronicles 2:25 is situated within the lengthy genealogies presented in the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9). This section primarily focuses on the descendants of Judah, considered the royal tribe from which David and his successors, leading eventually to the Messiah, would emerge. Specifically, chapter 2 begins by listing Judah's sons, then details the extensive lineage of his son Perez, through Hezron. Verse 25 itself delves into a particular sub-lineage: the sons of Jerahmeel, who was one of Hezron's three principal sons (along with Ram and Caleb, listed earlier in 1 Chr 2:9). This level of detail highlights the Chronicler's commitment to meticulously preserving the tribal structures and familial identities for the post-exilic community. These records were vital for establishing claims to land, clarifying tribal inheritances, and reaffirming the identity and legitimacy of the returned exiles as the true Israel. The very existence of this detailed genealogy in 1 Chronicles implies a rebuttal to any suggestion that the returned exiles had lost their heritage or connection to their ancestral lands and promises.

1 Chronicles 2 25 Word analysis

• And (וְ - `ve`): A simple conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding genealogical list, indicating a continuation of the family record.
• the sons (בְּנֵי - `bnei`): Hebrew for "sons" or "children of." It emphasizes direct paternal lineage and offspring, the fundamental unit of genealogical tracking.
• of Jerahmeel (יְרַחְמְאֵל - `Yĕraḥme'el`): A proper noun, meaning "May God have compassion" or "God has compassion." Jerahmeel is specifically noted as the firstborn of Hezron in 1 Chr 2:9. His descendants form a distinct and influential family or clan within Judah, also historically attested outside Chronicles (e.g., in 1 Samuel) interacting with David. The inclusion of his lineage signifies its recognized status.
• the firstborn (הַבְּכוֹר - `ha-bĕḵôr`): This identifies Jerahmeel's birth order relative to his siblings (Ram and Chelubai/Caleb, 1 Chr 2:9), not his internal ranking among his own children in this verse. In ancient Israelite society, the firstborn held significant legal and social standing, including inheritance rights and family leadership. This re-emphasizes the formal establishment of the line.
• of Hezron (חֶצְרוֹן - `Ḥeṣrôn`): A proper noun, identifying Hezron as the patriarch of this immediate lineage. Hezron was the son of Perez, who was a son of Judah (Gen 46:12, 1 Chr 2:3,5). Hezron is a key figure whose descendants are extensively listed in this chapter, signifying the importance of his sub-clan within Judah.
• were (הָיָה - `haya`, implied): The verb "were" is often implied in Hebrew nominal sentences. The structure simply lists the sons directly.
• Ram (רָם - `Ram`): A proper noun. Here, Ram is Jerahmeel's firstborn. It is important to distinguish this Ram from the Ram (or Aram) who was the ancestor of David (son of Hezron, 1 Chr 2:9; son of Aram, Matt 1:4; Luke 3:33). They are different individuals despite the shared name, belonging to different branches of Hezron's descendants. This Ram leads the Jerahmeelite branch.
• and Bunah (וּבוּנָה - `u-Bunāh`): A proper noun, one of Jerahmeel's sons. Little is known specifically about Bunah outside this list.
• and Oren (וְאֹרֶן - `ve-'Ôrēn`): A proper noun, another of Jerahmeel's sons. The name potentially means "fir tree."
• and Ozem (וְאֹצֶם - `ve-'Ōṣem`): A proper noun, another of Jerahmeel's sons. The name means "strength" or "bone."
• and Ahijah (וַאֲחִיָּה - `va-'Ăḥîyāh`): A proper noun, the final son listed here for Jerahmeel. The name means "My brother is Yah" or "Brother of Yahweh." This name often carries positive theological implications, associating the individual with God.

• "The sons of Jerahmeel... Hezron": This phrase precisely defines the family branch being delineated. It underscores the patriarchal system and the importance of documenting lineage from a foundational ancestor (Hezron) through an immediate forebear (Jerahmeel) to the present generation.
• "Ram the firstborn, and Bunah, and Oren, and Ozem, and Ahijah": This is a direct list of siblings. The emphasis on Ram being the "firstborn" within Jerahmeel's family points to his status within that immediate family unit. The presence of multiple sons ensures the continuation and expansion of Jerahmeel's household and sub-clan within Judah. The specific names serve as verifiable points for the original audience to identify these family lines.

1 Chronicles 2 25 Bonus section

• Significance of Genealogies in Ancient Israel: Beyond simple record-keeping, genealogies served vital functions including inheritance, land claims, priestly qualifications, identifying community members for census or military service, and verifying marriage eligibility to maintain tribal purity. For the Chronicler, they particularly served to assure the post-exilic community of their legitimate heritage and identity in the promised land.
• The Jerahmeelites' Historical Note: While this verse simply lists Jerahmeel's sons, the broader historical context of the Jerahmeelites (referenced in 1 Samuel) indicates they were a notable group bordering the Negeb. David, when in Ziklag, deceived Achish into thinking he raided the Jerahmeelites (1 Sam 27:10) and later sent spoils to their cities (1 Sam 30:29). This suggests their inclusion in Chronicles validates their authentic Israelite, specifically Judahite, connection despite their geographic location and occasional interactions that might have obscured their pure tribal identity to some.
• Chronicler's Focus on Judah: The extensive detail for Judah in Chronicles reflects the tribe's preeminence as the royal tribe from which the Davidic dynasty emerged, carrying the promise of the Messiah. While this specific Jerahmeelite branch does not lead directly to David, its inclusion affirms the comprehensive preservation of the whole "house" of Judah.
• God's Remembering and Sovereignty: The very act of meticulously preserving these seemingly minor genealogical details highlights a theological principle: God remembers His people and every family within His covenant plan. His sovereignty extends to orchestrating and preserving the various branches of humanity according to His purpose.

1 Chronicles 2 25 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:25, while seemingly just a list of names, is deeply significant within the Chronicler's purpose. It reinforces the meticulous attention paid to lineage, a cornerstone for the post-exilic community. For them, precise genealogical records served to re-establish identity, legitimate claims to inherited lands, and reinforce tribal cohesion in the land. The detailed inclusion of Jerahmeel's line, a lesser-known yet distinct branch of Judah historically (as seen in 1 Samuel), emphasizes that all valid families within Israel's tribes were worthy of remembrance in God's continuing plan. This specific verse testifies to the endurance and perpetuation of specific Judahite families, assuring the returning exiles of their heritage and their place in the restored community under God's watchful eye, ensuring that no true Israelite line was forgotten or diminished in their historical and spiritual significance.