1 Chronicles 2 37

1 Chronicles 2:37 kjv

And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed,

1 Chronicles 2:37 nkjv

Zabad begot Ephlal, and Ephlal begot Obed;

1 Chronicles 2:37 niv

Zabad the father of Ephlal, Ephlal the father of Obed,

1 Chronicles 2:37 esv

Zabad fathered Ephlal, and Ephlal fathered Obed.

1 Chronicles 2:37 nlt

Zabad was the father of Ephlal.
Ephlal was the father of Obed.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 37 Meaning

This verse meticulously continues the genealogical record within the tribe of Judah, specifically detailing the lineage through Jerahmeel, one of Hezron's sons. It states that Zabad was the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal in turn was the father of Obed. As part of the extensive genealogies in 1 Chronicles, it contributes to establishing the post-exilic community's identity, tribal heritage, and connection to God's enduring covenant with Israel.

1 Chronicles 2 37 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 2 is foundational to the genealogies presented in the book, meticulously tracing the lineage of Israel, particularly focusing on the tribe of Judah, the royal tribe from which King David and, ultimately, the Messiah, would descend. Following an overview of Adam's descendants (Chapter 1) and the sons of Israel (Jacob), Chapter 2 details Judah's lineage, starting with his sons and then focusing on Perez, one of his twin sons (v. 4). The chapter extensively traces the family of Hezron (Perez's son), and within Hezron's descendants, it delves into the lines of Jerahmeel (1 Chr 2:25-41). Verse 37 specifically appears within this section, continuing the chain of generations stemming from Jerahmeel. This historical context is vital for the post-exilic community addressed by Chronicles, as these genealogies affirmed their identity, validated claims to land inheritance, and re-established their tribal affiliations in light of God's unwavering covenant promises.

1 Chronicles 2 37 Word analysis

• And (וַ – wa): A simple conjunctive prefix indicating continuation. It smoothly connects the present statement to the preceding genealogical entry, demonstrating a direct progression within the family line.
• Zabad (זָבָד – Zabad): This is a Hebrew proper name derived from a root meaning "to bestow" or "to give." It identifies the father in this particular segment of the lineage. While several individuals in the Old Testament bore this name, here it specifies a person within the Jerahmeelite branch of Judah.
• begat (יָלַד – yalad): The quintessential Hebrew verb for genealogies, meaning "to bear," "bring forth," or "to beget." Its repeated use emphatically confirms a direct biological father-son relationship, ensuring the accurate and continuous tracing of generations.
• Ephlal (אֶפְלָל – ʼEphlal): A Hebrew proper name likely meaning "He has judged" or "Judgment." It designates the specific son of Zabad, further solidifying the step-by-step documentation of the family tree. The meaning of the name here denotes existence rather than significant character insight.
• Obed (עוֹבֵד – ʼOved): A Hebrew proper name meaning "servant" or "worshiper." It identifies the final person named in this specific verse, the son of Ephlal. It is important to distinguish this Obed from the more famously known Obed, the grandfather of King David (mentioned in Ruth 4:21-22). This instance highlights the commonality of biblical names and the necessity of tracing the precise lineage to avoid confusion.

1 Chronicles 2 37 Bonus section

The genealogical pattern "X begat Y, Y begat Z" is fundamental to biblical lineage tracking, reflecting both biological succession and the carrying forward of the covenant. The sheer volume of such entries in Chronicles reinforces a theology of faithfulness: God meticulously oversees the details of His people's existence. The use of specific, sometimes common, names like "Obed" requires careful contextual reading within the larger genealogy; a name alone doesn't suffice for identification. These genealogies functioned as an archive, essential for land tenure disputes and establishing eligibility for temple service or even simply proving one's "Israeliteness" in a land now occupied by others.

1 Chronicles 2 37 Commentary

First Chronicles 2:37, along with countless similar verses in the early chapters, demonstrates the Chronicler's painstaking effort to preserve the integrity of Israel's tribal and family lines. It quietly affirms God's commitment to maintaining His covenant people through successive generations, even during periods of exile and national upheaval. While this particular lineage from Jerahmeel through Zabad, Ephlal, and Obed is not directly part of the royal Davidic line, its inclusion highlights the comprehensiveness of the records. For the post-exilic community, these seemingly ordinary lists were crucial: they validated land rights, affirmed identity, distinguished the covenant community from other peoples, and connected them firmly to their ancestral promises. The simple act of documenting "begat" ensures that every individual's place within God's continuous historical narrative is noted, emphasizing the significance of faithfulness in transmitting heritage across time. This focus encouraged the returning exiles to understand their deep roots and future hope, grounded in God's fidelity.