1 Chronicles 2 40

1 Chronicles 2:40 kjv

And Eleasah begat Sisamai, and Sisamai begat Shallum,

1 Chronicles 2:40 nkjv

Eleasah begot Sismai, and Sismai begot Shallum;

1 Chronicles 2:40 niv

Eleasah the father of Sismai, Sismai the father of Shallum,

1 Chronicles 2:40 esv

Eleasah fathered Sismai, and Sismai fathered Shallum.

1 Chronicles 2:40 nlt

Eleasah was the father of Sismai.
Sismai was the father of Shallum.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 40 Meaning

This verse states a genealogical link: Uri became the father of Bezalel, and Bezalel became the father of Uzzi. It serves as a single entry within the extensive list of Judah's descendants, particularly focusing on the line of Hur. While seemingly a simple record of lineage, its inclusion highlights the importance of this specific family branch, which produced Bezalel, the divinely appointed chief craftsman of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, thereby connecting a foundational figure in Israel's history of worship and artistry to the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 2 40 Context

1 Chronicles 2:40 is part of an extensive genealogical record, beginning in Chapter 1, that meticulously traces the lineage of Israel, from Adam down to the post-exilic period. Chapter 2 specifically focuses on the descendants of Judah, the tribe from which kings (like David) and ultimately the Messiah would come. This particular verse is nestled within the intricate family tree of Judah, specifically detailing the line originating from Hezron's son Caleb (of the family of Ram, son of Hezron), and his son Hur. The chronicler's inclusion of this specific short lineage (Uri, Bezalel, Uzzi) for Uri, the son of Hur, signifies its historical and theological importance for the returning exiles, grounding key figures like Bezalel in their proper tribal and family context. This precise record served to re-establish identity, validate tribal land claims, and ensure proper priestly and national order in the renewed community of Israel after their return from Babylonian exile.

1 Chronicles 2 40 Word analysis

• And (וְ – ve): A simple connective particle, commonly used in Hebrew to join clauses, phrases, or words. In this genealogical context, it links consecutive generations, signifying direct lineage or succession.
• Uri (אוּרִי – Uri): Meaning "my light" or "light of Yahweh." He is identified in Exodus as the father of Bezalel (Exod 31:2, 35:30), belonging to the tribe of Judah and a descendant of Hur, son of Caleb. His significance is primarily his role as Bezalel's father.
• begot (וַיּוֹלֶד – vayyolėd): From the Hebrew verb יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to bear, bring forth, give birth to, beget." This is the standard term used in biblical genealogies to indicate direct father-son descent. It denotes the act of siring a child and maintaining the familial line.
• Bezalel (בְּצַלְאֵל – Bəṣal’ēl): A highly significant name, meaning "in the shadow of God," "in God's protection," or "under the protection of El (God)." He was divinely appointed and filled with the Spirit of God to be the chief architect and craftsman of the Tabernacle during the wilderness wandering (Exod 31:2-5). His inclusion here emphasizes his distinguished Judahite ancestry and the importance of this line.
• Uzzi (עֻזִּי – Uzzī): Meaning "my strength." He is only mentioned here as Bezalel's son. He appears to be a less prominent figure compared to his father, yet his inclusion ensures the complete recording of Bezalel's immediate lineage, continuing the family record.

• Uri begot Bezalel: This phrase directly establishes the paternal link between Uri and Bezalel, placing Bezalel within the specific lineage of Judah through Hur. This connection underscores the divine purpose and selection, as God specifically chose Bezalel for the monumental task of constructing the Tabernacle. It signifies that divine calling and giftedness often emerge from specific, chosen lines, echoing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and people through generations.
• Bezalel begot Uzzi: This continuation of the lineage, even with a less renowned son like Uzzi, completes the immediate family record of Bezalel. It demonstrates the enduring nature of a family line and its progression. It subtly indicates that even significant figures contribute to a continuing human and generational story, passing on their legacy and physical descent through their offspring, regardless of their child's subsequent prominence.

1 Chronicles 2 40 Bonus section

The chronicler's extensive genealogical lists, like the one in which 1 Chronicles 2:40 is found, serve multiple layers of purpose for the post-exilic community. They acted as a vital historical and identity document, demonstrating the continuity of Israel from creation to their own time. This reinforced their legitimate claim to the land of Israel and to their heritage as the people of God, despite the Babylonian exile. The emphasis on the Judahite lineage, even for individuals like Bezalel, foreshadows and confirms the central role of Judah as the kingly tribe, leading to the Davidic covenant and ultimately, the Messiah. Bezalel stands out as a unique early example of divine empowerment, not for prophecy or leadership in the conventional sense, but for skilled labor and artistry. This challenges the notion that spiritual gifting is limited to certain "religious" vocations, affirming that all gifts used for God's glory, even craftsmanship, are divinely ordained and empowered by the Spirit.

1 Chronicles 2 40 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:40, though brief and purely genealogical, holds significant meaning within the Chronicler's narrative. Its purpose is primarily to validate and preserve the sacred lineage, anchoring the exceptionally gifted Bezalel, chief artisan of the Tabernacle, firmly within the tribe of Judah, through the esteemed line of Hur and Uri. By meticulously detailing this connection, the chronicler emphasizes continuity from Israel's formative wilderness experience to the post-exilic community. Bezalel's inclusion here serves as a potent reminder of divine empowerment for specific tasks—he was "filled with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship" (Exod 31:3). This highlights that God's Spirit endows individuals with diverse abilities, even artistic and practical ones, for His purposes in building His dwelling place and establishing His worship. The meticulous recording of generations served as a foundational document for the restored nation, verifying identity, ensuring land claims, and asserting tribal privileges based on ancestral connections and God's providential leading through specific families. It underlines the enduring truth that God works through generations, preparing and gifting individuals within their family lines for His redemptive plans.