1 Chronicles 2 41

1 Chronicles 2:41 kjv

And Shallum begat Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begat Elishama.

1 Chronicles 2:41 nkjv

Shallum begot Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begot Elishama.

1 Chronicles 2:41 niv

Shallum the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah the father of Elishama.

1 Chronicles 2:41 esv

Shallum fathered Jekamiah, and Jekamiah fathered Elishama.

1 Chronicles 2:41 nlt

Shallum was the father of Jekamiah.
Jekamiah was the father of Elishama.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 41 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:41 states, "And Shallum begat Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begat Elishama." This verse is a concise genealogical record, listing three successive generations within a specific lineage descended from Caleb, who was from the tribe of Judah. Its primary purpose is to trace the family line, establishing historical continuity and validating tribal identity, which was crucial for the Israelite community, especially after the Babylonian exile. It affirms the ongoing faithfulness of God in sustaining His people through generations.

1 Chronicles 2 41 Context

This verse is situated within the extensive genealogies that open the book of 1 Chronicles, specifically within chapter 2 which focuses on the descendants of Judah. Following the grand lineage of Israel (1 Chr 1), Chapter 2 begins to detail the tribe of Judah, from whom kings and the Davidic line would emerge. Verses 1-17 list the prominent sons of Judah, then from verse 18 onwards, it focuses particularly on the intricate descendants of Caleb, son of Hezron. This specific verse (2:41) traces a small, three-generation segment: Shallum, his son Jekamiah, and Jekamiah's son Elishama. For the post-exilic community, for whom Chronicles was primarily written, these meticulous records served to re-establish their identity, affirm land claims, justify religious offices, and link them to God's enduring covenant promises to their ancestors. It grounds them firmly in their divinely ordered past.

1 Chronicles 2 41 Word analysis

• And: (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - A conjunction connecting this statement to the preceding genealogical entry (1 Chr 2:40), signaling a continuation of the lineage. It maintains the flow of the chronological and ancestral progression.
• Shallum: (Hebrew: שַׁלּוּם, Shallûm) - A proper name meaning "recompense," "peaceful," or "retribution." This Shallum is specifically identified in 1 Chronicles 2:40-41 as a descendant of Ur, son of Hepher, from the Calebite branch of Judah. The name's potential meaning might subtly resonate with themes of peace and restoration, particularly relevant to the Chronicler's post-exilic audience hoping for re-establishment.
• begat: (Hebrew: יָלַד, yāladh) - A verb indicating male paternity, the act of a father bringing forth a son. This term is foundational to genealogical records in the Bible, signifying direct lineal descent. It validates inheritance rights, tribal affiliation, and the authenticity of the lineage.
• Jekamiah: (Hebrew: יְקַמְיָה, Yəqamyâ) - A proper name meaning "Jehovah raises up" or "the Lord will establish." This is a theophoric name, containing a reference to God (Yah/Jehovah), common in Hebrew nomenclature. Such a name would implicitly acknowledge God's sovereign power and His active role in preserving and establishing His people's generations, carrying a message of hope.
• and: (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - Another conjunction, serving the same function as the first, to smoothly connect Jekamiah's role as father to Elishama.
• Jekamiah begat: The repetition of the name and the verb reinforces the direct, undisputed sequence of paternity, crucial for genealogical accuracy and credibility. It maintains the rhythmic pattern characteristic of biblical genealogies.
• Elishama: (Hebrew: אֱלִישָׁמָע, ’Ělîšāmā‘) - A proper name meaning "God has heard" or "My God has heard." Another prominent theophoric name, referring to God's attentiveness and responsiveness. This name would have evoked the truth of God's intimate care for His people and His willingness to answer their prayers, even within the mundane listing of family lines.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And Shallum begat Jekamiah": This phrase directly establishes a paternal-filial relationship, showing a clear continuation of the family line from one generation to the next. This unbroken chain was paramount for legal, social, and religious structures in ancient Israel.
• "and Jekamiah begat Elishama": This repeats the structure, extending the lineage for another generation. The simple, repetitive "begat" formula emphasizes the direct, uncontaminated flow of lineage, assuring the validity of the family's place within the tribal structure and divine covenant.
• The Names as a Sequence: The sequence of theophoric names (Shallum, Jekamiah, Elishama) subtly weaves theological messages into the historical record. From "peace" (Shallum), to "Jehovah raises up" (Jekamiah), to "God has heard" (Elishama), these names speak to a narrative of divine activity – God providing peace, raising up His chosen ones, and attentively hearing His people's prayers across generations. This instills hope and reminds the reader of God's abiding presence within their history.

1 Chronicles 2 41 Bonus section

The detailed genealogies in 1 Chronicles serve multiple significant functions beyond mere record-keeping. For the community returning from exile, these lists were critical for:

• Re-establishing Identity: Affirming who was genuinely part of the covenant people of Israel.
• Claiming Inheritance: Solidifying tribal and family land ownership.
• Legitimizing Roles: Identifying those qualified for priestly, Levitical, and leadership roles based on ancestral heritage.
• Historical Continuity: Providing a bridge from their ancestors to their present, ensuring the story of God's interaction with Israel remained unbroken.This verse contributes a specific, small segment to this grand narrative, showcasing that even seemingly minor family branches were meticulously preserved as part of the larger divine purpose for Israel. The theological meaning embedded in the personal names within these dry lists acts as a hidden layer of encouragement and divine commentary on the historical facts.

1 Chronicles 2 41 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:41 is more than a mere roster; it's a testament to the Chronicler's meticulous preservation of lineage, vital for Israel's post-exilic identity. Set within the tribe of Judah's extended family, it anchors Shallum, Jekamiah, and Elishama firmly in the divine plan, affirming God's faithfulness in sustaining His covenant people through successive generations. The rhythmic "begat" emphasizes the purity and continuity of the line. The very names Shallum ("peaceful"), Jekamiah ("Jehovah raises up"), and Elishama ("My God has heard") offer mini-sermons, echoing the sovereign peace, sustaining power, and responsive presence of God amidst His people's history. This brief verse thus solidifies Israel's connection to its past, reinforces its tribal structure, and implicitly points towards the fulfillment of God's promises through an enduring, divinely preserved lineage.