1 Chronicles 2 29

1 Chronicles 2:29 kjv

And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bare him Ahban, and Molid.

1 Chronicles 2:29 nkjv

And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid.

1 Chronicles 2:29 niv

Abishur's wife was named Abihail, who bore him Ahban and Molid.

1 Chronicles 2:29 esv

The name of Abishur's wife was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid.

1 Chronicles 2:29 nlt

The sons of Abishur and his wife Abihail were Ahban and Molid.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 29 Meaning

This verse identifies Abiah as the wife of Hezron and states that she bore him a son named Ashhur, who is further recognized as "the father of Tekoa." This genealogical record serves to trace and solidify the lineage within the tribe of Judah, linking individuals to specific geographical locations and future clans. It signifies the continuation of the family line, vital for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and the connection of specific places like Tekoa to a specific Israelite progenitor.

1 Chronicles 2 29 Context

First Chronicles 2 opens a meticulous and extensive genealogy of the tribe of Judah, which is of paramount importance to the Chronicler. Unlike other tribes, Judah's lineage is presented in extraordinary detail due to its ultimate significance as the royal tribe from which David sprang, and later, through the exilic and post-exilic period, as the foundation for the rebuilt Jewish community. This verse specifically falls within the detailed descendants of Perez, one of Judah's twin sons, and specifically through Perez's son, Hezron. Hezron is a central figure here, as several important sub-clans and towns are linked through his various wives and children. The naming of Abiah and her son Ashhur, "the father of Tekoa," underscores the Chronicler's concern for legitimate succession, the formation of established settlements, and the identification of clan leaders within Judah. This deep dive into Judahite lines serves to affirm continuity and divine faithfulness in preserving the lineage for the post-exilic community's identity and their rights to land and heritage.

1 Chronicles 2 29 Word analysis

• וְשֵׁם (ve'shem): "and the name" - The conjunction "and" links this new detail to the preceding genealogical information, maintaining narrative flow. "Shem" (name) is significant in Hebrew culture, representing identity, reputation, and essence. Naming a person confirms their existence and place within the lineage.
• אֵשֶׁת (eishet): "wife of" - Derived from ishah (woman, wife). Identifying the mother is crucial in genealogies, not only to specify progeny but also to confirm the legitimacy of the child's birth within recognized marital bonds, thus ensuring a rightful place in the clan.
• חֶצְרוֹן (Hezron): A prominent figure in Judah's genealogy (Gen 46:12, Num 26:21, 1 Chr 2:5, Ruth 4:18). His name means "enclosed" or "courtyard." His many offspring detailed in 1 Chronicles signify his foundational role in the expansion and organization of the Judahite tribe.
• אֲבִיַּה (Aviyah): "Abiah" or "Abijah." The name means "My father is Yah" or "Yah is father" (a shortened form of Yahweh). While Abiah herself is not elaborated upon in the text, her name, containing a divine element, reflects a prevalent Yahwistic faith among the ancestors, underscoring a continuous connection to God within the lineage.
• וַתֵּלֶד לוֹ (va'teled lo): "and she bore him" - The standard Hebrew formula for recording birth within a genealogical line. Valdeled (from yalad, to bear/give birth) firmly establishes the parental relationship, eliminating ambiguity regarding the son's immediate progenitor. The addition of "to him" (lo) emphasizes the male lineage receiving the offspring.
• אֶת־אַשְׁחוּר (et-Ashhur): "Ashhur" - The direct object marker et precedes the proper noun. "Ashhur" means "black" or "dark." Beyond this possible descriptive meaning, the name signifies a distinct individual who becomes the patriarch of a significant sub-clan or community associated with a specific place.
• אֲבִי (avi): "father of" - This title avi (av is father, with a possessive suffix) is not always limited to biological fatherhood in the Hebrew Bible. It can also signify a progenitor, founder, head of a household, clan leader, or master (e.g., "father of the living" in Gen 3:20, or "father of those who handle the harp" in Gen 4:21). In the context of Tekoa, it likely denotes Ashhur as the founder, primary leader, or patriarchal figure associated with that settlement or the clan that inhabited it.
• תְקוֹעַ (Tekoa): A significant town in the hill country of Judah, known for its wilderness. Its name possibly means "pitching of tents" or "trumpet blast." Tekoa is historically important as the hometown of the prophet Amos (Amos 1:1) and the wise woman sent to David by Joab (2 Sam 14:2). It was also fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr 11:6). Connecting Ashhur to Tekoa means establishing this place and its inhabitants as legitimate descendants of Judah through Hezron.

1 Chronicles 2 29 Bonus section

The Chronicler's meticulous approach to genealogies, particularly for Judah, indicates a profound theological and practical purpose. In a period of national re-establishment after the Babylonian exile, such records served as more than mere family trees; they were critical legal documents establishing identity, confirming rights to inherited land (the Promise Land), defining eligibility for temple service (especially for priests and Levites), and most importantly, affirming God's steadfast covenant faithfulness despite national upheaval. By highlighting figures like Hezron and their various offspring, including the linking of individuals like Ashhur to specific locations like Tekoa, the Chronicler aimed to provide an anchor of continuity and legitimacy, connecting the scattered and often discouraged returnees to their illustrious past, ensuring they saw themselves as integral parts of God's enduring plan for Israel. The repetition and cross-referencing of these genealogical details (e.g., the similar entry in 1 Chr 2:24) underscore their deliberate importance and accuracy for the Chronicler's original audience.

1 Chronicles 2 29 Commentary

First Chronicles 2:29, though seemingly a simple genealogical entry, functions as a vital stitch in the extensive tapestry woven by the Chronicler. It carefully preserves and reinforces the identity and structure of the Judahite tribe for a post-exilic audience seeking to reconnect with their heritage and validate their claims to land and covenant blessings. By naming Abiah as Hezron's wife and explicitly stating that she bore Ashhur, the progenitor of Tekoa, the verse solidifies a specific maternal lineage for this branch, demonstrating that tribal formation was a result of sanctioned unions. The designation "father of Tekoa" elevates Ashhur from a mere individual in a list to the foundational figure of a community, emphasizing the interconnectedness of persons, families, clans, and the specific territories they inhabited. This level of detail confirms divine faithfulness in preserving the Davidic line (via Hezron as an ancestor of David) and legitimizes the pre-existing claim to land for those who would return and rebuild. It also prefigures the future significance of Tekoa in biblical narrative (e.g., through Amos) by providing its genealogical roots.