1 Chronicles 2 34

1 Chronicles 2:34 kjv

Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha.

1 Chronicles 2:34 nkjv

Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. And Sheshan had an Egyptian servant whose name was Jarha.

1 Chronicles 2:34 niv

Sheshan had no sons?only daughters. He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha.

1 Chronicles 2:34 esv

Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters, but Sheshan had an Egyptian slave whose name was Jarha.

1 Chronicles 2:34 nlt

Sheshan had no sons, though he did have daughters. He also had an Egyptian servant named Jarha.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 34 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:34 records a specific genealogical detail concerning Sheshan, a descendant in the tribe of Judah, noting that he had no male heirs, only daughters. To perpetuate his lineage and inheritance, it states that he possessed an Egyptian servant named Jarha. This verse sets the stage for the following verse, which describes Sheshan giving his daughter to Jarha in marriage, an unusual yet crucial action for the continuation of his family line. It highlights divine providence and the unexpected means by which genealogies were maintained in ancient Israel.

1 Chronicles 2 34 Context

1 Chronicles 2 provides a detailed genealogy of the tribe of Judah, crucial because the Davidic kingship, and ultimately the Messiah, would emerge from this tribe. The chapter meticulously traces lines through Judah's son Perez, then Hezron. Sheshan is a direct descendant of Hezron, specifically through Jerahmeel, one of Hezron's sons (1 Chr 2:25). Genealogies in Chronicles were vital post-exile for re-establishing tribal identities, land claims, and priestly/levitical duties, affirming continuity with the pre-exilic covenant community. The specific mention of Sheshan's lack of sons and the subsequent solution highlights the importance of maintaining the lineage in a patriarchal society where male heirs were traditionally essential for inheritance and continuation of the family name. This unconventional pairing with an Egyptian servant foreshadows God's work across perceived ethnic and social boundaries.

1 Chronicles 2 34 Word analysis

• Now Sheshan (וּלְשֵׁשָׁן - u-le-she-shan): "And to Sheshan." Sheshan means "noble." He is a descendant of Judah through Hezron and Jerahmeel. His specific lineage is important for validating the tribal and familial structures in Israel after the return from exile, particularly within the framework of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
• had no sons (אֵין בָּנִים - ein banim): Literally "no sons were to him." In ancient Israel, male heirs were indispensable for perpetuating the family name, maintaining the family inheritance (especially land), and continuing the line within the tribal structure. The lack of sons presented a significant challenge and potential crisis for a family.
• but only daughters (כִּי אִם־בָּנוֹת - ki im-banot): Literally "except daughters." While daughters were valued, they typically inherited property only in the absence of sons and usually passed the inheritance to their husbands if they married outside their tribe, potentially diluting the original family's claim. This specific phrasing highlights the deviation from the customary male line of descent.
• And Sheshan (וּלְשֵׁשָׁן - u-le-she-shan): Repetition for emphasis, reinforcing that the situation belongs specifically to him.
• had an Egyptian servant (עֶבֶד מִצְרִי - eved mitsri): "A servant, an Egyptian."
  • Egyptian (מִצְרִי - mitsri): Refers to a person from Egypt. Given Israel's historical subjugation under Egypt and the commands to separate from surrounding nations, the presence of an Egyptian servant in such a prominent and instrumental role within an Israelite household is noteworthy. It suggests an instance where a non-Israelite was fully integrated into the life and, remarkably, the lineage of an Israelite family. This could serve as a subtle polemic against rigid ethno-nationalism, showing God's ability to work through unexpected and foreign means. It resonates with cases like Rahab and Ruth, foreign women who became ancestors in the messianic line.
  • servant (עֶבֶד - eved): Denotes a bondservant, slave, or general attendant. In ancient Near Eastern societies, servants could be integral to the household, often loyal and entrusted with significant responsibilities, sometimes even being treated as part of the extended family (as seen with Eliezer of Damascus in Gen 15). The term implies Jarha's subordinate status, yet his elevation here points to the Lord's valuing of all people.
• whose name was Jarha (וּשְׁמוֹ יַרְחָא - u-shmo Yarha): "And his name [was] Jarha." Jarha means "moon." The Chronicler’s meticulous inclusion of his name elevates Jarha beyond a mere generic "Egyptian servant" to a distinct individual whose specific involvement is significant. This naming further emphasizes his vital role in God's preserving the line.

1 Chronicles 2 34 Bonus section

• The meticulous detailing of genealogies in 1 Chronicles served a crucial post-exilic purpose for the returned Jews. It helped to re-establish claims to their ancestral lands, reaffirm their tribal identities, and reconstruct their societal and religious structures after the Babylonian exile. The inclusion of unconventional stories like Sheshan and Jarha ensures the validity of all who are presented in these lists as legitimate members of the restored community.
• This verse sets up an example of an Israelite taking extraordinary measures, guided by providential circumstances, to ensure the preservation of his family line. This was essential in ancient Israel not only for socio-economic reasons but also due to the covenant promises tied to specific families and tribes, most notably the Davidic line from Judah, through which the Messiah would come.
• The integration of Jarha into an Israelite family line through marriage is a tangible illustration of God's broader redemptive plan that often involves drawing in Gentiles. This echoes instances like Rahab and Ruth, who, despite being foreign, are incorporated into the line of David and ultimately Jesus Christ. Such narratives within the Old Testament quietly challenge a purely ethnocentric view of God's covenant people.

1 Chronicles 2 34 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:34 is a pivot point within the lengthy genealogies of Judah, revealing a unique challenge and its God-ordained resolution. In a society where the continuation of a male lineage was paramount for tribal identity, inheritance, and covenant promise, Sheshan's lack of sons created a significant dilemma. The text, however, immediately provides the divine provision: an Egyptian servant named Jarha. This seemingly ordinary detail becomes extraordinary when understood in the context of the patriarchal emphasis and the historical tensions between Israel and Egypt. It underscores God's sovereign work, demonstrating His ability to preserve His purposes even through unconventional means and through individuals from outside the traditional covenant community. This inclusion of a foreign servant into a prominent lineage prefigures the wider inclusivity of God's redemptive plan, reminding the exilic community and later believers that God's grace transcends ethnic and social boundaries. The solution ensures the continuity of the lineage within Judah, aligning with the Chronicler's emphasis on faithful Israel's ongoing identity.