1 Chronicles 2 48

1 Chronicles 2:48 kjv

Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah.

1 Chronicles 2:48 nkjv

Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.

1 Chronicles 2:48 niv

Caleb's concubine Maakah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah.

1 Chronicles 2:48 esv

Maacah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.

1 Chronicles 2:48 nlt

Another of Caleb's concubines, Maacah, gave birth to Sheber and Tirhanah.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 48 Meaning

This verse continues the extensive genealogy of the tribe of Judah, specifically detailing two sons of Caleb, son of Hur: Shobal and Tirhanah. It serves as a concise record of lineage, preserving the continuity and identity of families within the nation of Israel, particularly important for the post-exilic community to re-establish their heritage and land claims.

1 Chronicles 2 48 Context

First Chronicles chapter 2 opens a detailed genealogical record for the tribe of Judah, leading up to the lineage of David. The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic audience, meticulously presents these genealogies to reinforce identity, maintain land tenure, and affirm the validity of the Davidic line for future kingship and priestly service. Within this extensive list, verse 48 specifies two more "sons" (descendants) attributed to "Caleb son of Hur." This particular Caleb is distinct from the more prominent Caleb son of Jephunneh mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, known for his faith and inheriting Hebron. The focus here is on a specific branch of Judah through Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salma, and then Caleb son of Hur. These precise details served to connect the present community with their past, underscoring God's faithfulness in preserving His people and their heritage through generations, even amidst periods of dispersion and return.

1 Chronicles 2 48 Word analysis

• The sons of: (בְּנֵ֥י - bənê). This plural construct noun indicates a close familial or clan relationship, not necessarily immediate direct male offspring, but can include descendants, founders of family lines, or even "children" in the broader sense of a family or clan affiliation in ancient Hebrew genealogy. It signifies the continuity and growth of the family unit.
• Caleb: (כָּלֵ֣ב - Kālēḇ). This individual is specifically identified as "Caleb son of Hur." This is crucial as there are other prominent Calebs in the biblical record, most notably Caleb son of Jephunneh. The Chronicler's precision in naming his father prevents confusion and places this Caleb within a particular branch of the Judahite lineage originating from Hezron, Ram, and Nahshon.
• son of Hur: (בֶן־ח֖וּר - ben-Ḥūr). "Hur" is mentioned in Exod 17:10 and Exod 24:14 as a significant figure who supported Moses and helped Aaron administer the camp. This Hur is distinct; this "Hur" in Chronicles is the grandfather of Bezalel (Exod 31:2), the chief craftsman for the Tabernacle. Thus, this line, though briefly noted, connects to significant figures in Israel's early history and craftsmanship, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the genealogies.
• Shobal: (שׁוֹבָֽל - Šôḇāl). A name listed as a descendant of Caleb son of Hur. Shobal appears again in 1 Chron 2:50, 52, where he is explicitly called "the father" of Kiriath-jearim and other families (e.g., half of the Manoathites, the Zorethites). In Hebrew genealogies, being a "father" can denote being a founder, progenitor, or the leading figure of a settlement or group, indicating Shobal's influence in establishing specific communities.
• and Tirhanah: (וְתִרְחֲנָֽה - wəṯirḥǎnāh). Listed simply as another "son" or descendant alongside Shobal. While less is known about Tirhanah compared to Shobal, their inclusion demonstrates the meticulous nature of the Chronicler's record. Every named individual, even if briefly, contributed to the full tapestry of Israel's family history and, by extension, God's enduring plan for His people.

1 Chronicles 2 48 Bonus section

The Chronicler's inclusion of detailed lineages, even seemingly minor ones, emphasizes God's providence over individual lives and families within the greater narrative of His people. The "sons" here could represent not only direct offspring but also clans or tribal sub-groups that emerged from the individual, reflecting the fluidity of genealogical terms in ancient Hebrew. The comprehensive nature of these lists would have provided both spiritual comfort and practical documentation for the Israelites returning to their land, enabling them to reconstruct their social, religious, and political life based on established ancestral connections. It underscores the biblical emphasis that no detail, however small, is overlooked in God's master plan for history and His covenant community.

1 Chronicles 2 48 Commentary

First Chronicles 2:48, like many verses in the early chapters of Chronicles, serves as a meticulous building block in the larger genealogical framework. It highlights the Chronicler's primary concern: to affirm the continuity and purity of the Israelite people, particularly the tribe of Judah, which held the promise of the Davidic covenant and future leadership. By listing "Shobal, and Tirhanah" as sons of "Caleb son of Hur," the text reinforces specific familial lines. This attention to detail was not merely historical record-keeping; it served theological and practical purposes for the post-exilic community. The inclusion of names like Shobal, who later founded significant communities, implicitly connects ancestral figures with known settlements and family groups. This established legitimacy for land ownership and claims, confirmed tribal identities, and reassured a dispossessed people of God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving a remnant and fulfilling His promises across generations, regardless of their present circumstances. Each name, though seemingly obscure, was a vital thread in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with His chosen people.