1 Chronicles 2 49

1 Chronicles 2:49 kjv

She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was Achsa.

1 Chronicles 2:49 nkjv

She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah and the father of Gibea. And the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.

1 Chronicles 2:49 niv

She also gave birth to Shaaph the father of Madmannah and to Sheva the father of Makbenah and Gibea. Caleb's daughter was Aksah.

1 Chronicles 2:49 esv

She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.

1 Chronicles 2:49 nlt

She also gave birth to Shaaph (the father of Madmannah) and Sheva (the father of Macbenah and Gibea). Caleb also had a daughter named Acsah.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 49 Meaning

First Chronicles 2:49 meticulously records part of the genealogical lineage of Judah through Hezron, specifically detailing two sons born to the daughter of Machir, the father of Gilead. The verse highlights an inter-tribal marriage between Hezron (from Judah) and Machir's daughter (from Manasseh), illustrating the intertwining of Israelite tribes. It serves to establish the direct paternal link for "Asher" within this family branch, and clarifies the relationship between "Segub" and his famous son "Jair," known for his dominion in Gilead.

1 Chronicles 2 49 Context

First Chronicles 2 opens with the genealogies of Israel, quickly focusing on Judah, the tribe through which the Davidic kings and the Messiah would come. This chapter, spanning from verses 3 to 55, provides an extensive list of Judah's descendants, particularly those of Perez, and specifically, Hezron. The Chronicler, writing in the post-exilic period, aimed to establish the identity of the repatriated community by emphasizing continuity with their Israelite heritage. The detailed genealogies serve to affirm land ownership rights, tribal purity, and most importantly, the ongoing covenant faithfulness of God through maintaining a verifiable lineage back to the patriarchs.

Verse 49 is situated within a segment detailing Hezron's later life and his descendants through a significant marriage. Verses 21-23 already introduced Hezron's marriage to Machir's daughter and the birth of Segub and his son Jair, who became powerful. Verse 49 re-mentions this connection, emphasizing that Machir's daughter bore two figures of note for Hezron – "Asher" (distinct from the tribal patriarch) and Segub, who is clearly identified as the father of Jair. This reiteration and precise detailing underscore the importance of these individuals and the regions they were associated with, especially Gilead, a key territory east of the Jordan settled by Manasseh, of which Machir was a prominent family. The intermarriage links Judah to the prominent Transjordanian Manassehite families.

1 Chronicles 2 49 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew: Waw (וְ - ve). A conjunction connecting this statement to the previous genealogical entries, emphasizing continuation in the lineage record.
• the daughter of Machir: Hebrew: בַּת־מָכִיר (bat-makhîr). Bat means "daughter." Machir (מָכִיר - Makhîr) was the firstborn son of Manasseh (Num 26:29; Josh 17:1), a prominent figure whose descendants were fierce warriors and received significant territory in Gilead (Num 32:39-40). This woman's identity is defined by her father's tribal and land associations. Her name is not given, emphasizing her role as a progenitor through her father's line.
• the father of Gilead: Hebrew: אֲבִי־גִּלְעָד (ʾăḇî-Gilʿāḏ). "Gilead" (גִּלְעָד - Gilʿāḏ) here refers not only to the geographical region east of the Jordan but also metaphorically to the inhabitants or clan associated with it. Machir is called the "father of Gilead" because his descendants largely settled and held control over this region, implying a significant patriarchal and territorial connection (cf. Num 27:1).
• bare him: Hebrew: יָלְדָה לוֹ (yalḏāh lô). "Bare" (יָלַד - yalad) means to give birth. The phrase indicates she bore children to Hezron, reinforcing the paternal line established in 1 Chr 2:21, though Hezron's name is not directly repeated here, being understood from the immediate context.
• Asher: Hebrew: אָשֶׁר (ʾĀšer). This is a personal name, specifically for a son born to Machir's daughter. It is crucial to note that this Asher is not Jacob's son Asher, the patriarch of the tribe of Asher. This indicates a different individual, though bearing a familiar name, fitting within this particular Judahite/Manassehite lineage.
• and she conceived and bare: Hebrew: וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד (wattaḥar wattedel). Tahari means "to conceive" and yalad again "to bear/give birth." This is a common Hebrew phrase indicating two distinct successful pregnancies and births by the same woman, possibly suggesting separate events or highlighting two key offspring from this union.
• Segub: Hebrew: שְׂגוּב (Śeḡûḇ). Segub is explicitly identified in 1 Chr 2:21 as a son born to Hezron from this same daughter of Machir. He is therefore "Hezron's son Segub," providing continuity and clarification of the familial links within the broader chapter.
• the father of Jair: Hebrew: אֲבִי יָאִיר (ʾăḇî Yāʾîr). This important designation directly links Segub to his more famous son, Jair (יָאִיר - Yāʾîr). Jair was a prominent figure, a judge of Israel (Judg 10:3-5) who controlled many towns in Gilead (Num 32:41; Deut 3:14; 1 Chr 2:23). This clarifies Segub's place in history as the progenitor of a significant leader and clan.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead": This phrase pinpoints the identity of the mother by her prominent lineage and territorial association. Machir's descendants held significant sway and territory in Gilead. This highlights an inter-tribal connection between Judah (Hezron) and Manasseh (Machir's line), impacting land inheritance and social relations.
• "bare him Asher; and she conceived and bare Segub the father of Jair": This reveals two distinct, important male descendants from this union. The order might indicate birth order or order of significance for the Chronicler's purpose. Asher is mentioned first, then Segub, whose historical impact is underscored by the direct mention of his well-known son, Jair. This shows how crucial specific genealogical connections were to the Chronicler, not merely to list names but to connect them to notable persons or territories.

1 Chronicles 2 49 Bonus section

The seemingly minor detail of the mother's lack of a specific personal name in this verse is typical for the biblical genealogies where women are often identified by their fathers or husbands rather than independently. This practice underscores a patriarchal society where identity, inheritance, and social standing were predominantly traced through the male line. However, the specific mention of "the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead" elevates her status significantly by associating her directly with a key territorial and familial entity, signifying the immense strategic and economic value of her lineage and the region she represented. Her progeny brought territories into the broader Judahite network.

Furthermore, the figure of Jair (grandson from this lineage) is prominent beyond Chronicles, particularly in the book of Judges, where he is presented as a "minor judge" (Judg 10:3-5). He owned 30 donkey colts, suggesting wealth and influence, and had 30 cities in Gilead which were called "Havoth-Jair" (villages of Jair), indicating his dominion. The Chronicler's reference connects the foundational genealogical records of Judah to these broader historical narratives, reinforcing the intricate interconnectedness of various biblical accounts and highlighting how a single genealogical entry can open doors to understanding broader social, economic, and political dynamics within ancient Israel.

1 Chronicles 2 49 Commentary

First Chronicles 2:49, though appearing as a simple genealogical entry, carries profound significance within the Chronicler's broader historical and theological narrative. It precisely links a Judahite patriarch, Hezron, to a prominent Manassehite clan leader, Machir "the father of Gilead," through marriage. This inter-tribal union produced descendants crucial for understanding the geography, history, and tribal interrelationships of early Israel.

The Chronicler's inclusion of this specific detail underscores several key themes:

1. Continuity of Israel: Even in the fragmented post-exilic community, these detailed genealogies provided a tangible link to their past, affirming their heritage and the unbroken line of God's people.
2. Land and Inheritance: The marriage of a Judahite to a daughter of Machir (whose descendants held Gilead) had implications for tribal boundaries and land claims, especially significant in a period of restoration and re-establishment.
3. Divine Sovereignty: Genealogies often seem mundane, yet they reveal God's hand guiding families and nations, bringing forth individuals at precise moments to fulfill His purposes. The meticulous record indicates nothing is arbitrary in God's plan for His people.
4. Integration of Tribes: It illustrates the reality of inter-tribal marriage within Israel, highlighting how different branches of God's covenant people interwove and contributed to the collective national identity, rather than existing in strict isolation.
5. Historical Validation: By identifying Segub as "the father of Jair" (a recognized judge and leader with significant territorial influence in Gilead), the Chronicler grounds the genealogical record in well-known historical figures, lending credibility to the account for his original audience.

Practically, this verse reminds us that every person, however seemingly small or brief their mention, fits into God's larger tapestry of history and salvation. It points to the careful preservation of lineage in the Old Testament, foreshadowing the meticulous tracing of the Messiah's line to Abraham and David, demonstrating God's faithfulness through generations.