1 Chronicles 2 5

1 Chronicles 2:5 kjv

The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul.

1 Chronicles 2:5 nkjv

The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

1 Chronicles 2:5 niv

The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.

1 Chronicles 2:5 esv

The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.

1 Chronicles 2:5 nlt

The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 5 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:5 precisely states that Perez and Hezron were the immediate sons of Judah, serving as pivotal ancestors in the lineage of the tribe of Judah. This verse establishes the direct continuation of the most significant tribe in Israel's history, from which kingship would emerge and, ultimately, the Messiah. Its placement within the genealogies emphasizes the foundational role of these two individuals in the covenant promises connected to Judah.

1 Chronicles 2 5 Context

1 Chronicles 2:5 appears at the beginning of the second chapter, which continues the detailed genealogies commenced in Chapter 1. The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles are predominantly dedicated to genealogies, tracing lineages from Adam through the twelve tribes of Israel. This particular verse immediately follows the listing of Jacob's (Israel's) sons (1 Chr 2:1-2) and specifically introduces the family line of Judah. This emphasis on Judah is deliberate and highly significant for the Chronicler's post-exilic audience.

Historically, 1 Chronicles was likely written after the Babylonian exile. Its purpose was to re-establish the identity and continuity of God's people, particularly highlighting the tribe of Judah from which David, the monarchy, and ultimately the Messiah would come. For a dispersed and disheartened community, these genealogies provided a tangible link to their past, their covenant heritage, and the divine promises still in effect. By listing Perez and Hezron first among Judah's sons, the Chronicler sets the stage for the narrative of Judah's descendants, particularly the line that leads to King David, whose descendants were expected to rule Israel forever. The details presented here are precise and authoritative, linking the contemporary Jewish community directly to their illustrious past and future hope.

1 Chronicles 2 5 Word analysis

• The sons: Hebrew: בְּנֵי (b'nei). Signifies male descendants, emphasizing a direct paternal lineage which is crucial for genealogical records in the ancient world, especially for tribal identity, inheritance, and claims to land or leadership.
• of Judah: Hebrew: יְהוּדָה (Yehudah), meaning "Praise" or "He will be praised." Judah was Jacob's fourth son and became the most prominent of the twelve tribes. This tribe was divinely blessed with the promise of eternal kingship (Gen 49:8-10), signifying its crucial role in God's redemptive plan leading to the Messiah. The Chronicler's focus on Judah immediately signifies the impending detailed account of the Davidic line.
• Perez, Hebrew: פֶּרֶץ (Peretz), meaning "breach." Perez's unusual birth, where he "broke forth" before his twin brother Zerah, is recounted in Gen 38:29. This significant birth narrative foreshadows his prominence. He became the direct ancestor of King David and, through David, of Jesus Christ, making his inclusion here foundational to biblical history.
• Hezron, Hebrew: חֶצְרוֹן (Chetzron), meaning "enclosed," "village," or "courtyard." Hezron was the son of Perez. He is mentioned explicitly in various genealogies connecting Perez to key figures in Israel's history, notably forming a crucial link in the direct line from Judah to David and subsequently to the Messiah (Mt 1:3; Lk 3:33; Ru 4:18-22). His descendants established major family lines within Judah.

Words-group analysis

• "The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron": This concise statement immediately focuses the reader on the foundational individuals of the royal tribe. By listing only Perez and Hezron, the Chronicler streamlines the lineage, emphasizing those directly in the significant chain. Other sons of Judah existed (Er, Onan, Shelah, Zerah, Hamul from Gen 38, 46), but the Chronicler's intentional selectivity highlights the most crucial line for his theological purpose: demonstrating the uninterrupted flow from Judah to the Davidic dynasty, establishing continuity for the post-exilic community. This highlights God's faithfulness in maintaining His covenant promises through a specific, divinely ordained lineage, pointing forward to the eventual arrival of the Messianic king.

1 Chronicles 2 5 Bonus section

The mention of Perez and Hezron in 1 Chronicles 2:5 directly foreshadows their later appearance in the genealogies of Jesus Christ in the New Testament (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33). This verse, though seemingly mundane, therefore forms a direct, unbroken chain from Judah, the father of the royal line, to the birth of the Messiah. It establishes not just the historical roots but also the prophetic anticipation of the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev 5:5), whose kingship transcends earthly limitations. The meticulous preservation of such lineages over centuries points to God's precise and unyielding plan of salvation centered on a chosen line, culminating in the Christ.

1 Chronicles 2 5 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:5 serves as a crucial point within the Chronicler's overarching genealogical account. Its simplicity belies its profound theological significance. By opening the detailed account of Judah's descendants with Perez and Hezron, the text directly links the post-exilic community back to the origins of the Davidic monarchy. This lineage affirms Judah's unparalleled importance among the tribes, ordained for kingship and the divine promise of an eternal dynasty. The selection of these specific individuals is purposeful, setting the stage for the meticulous tracing of the royal line. It subtly underscores God's meticulous care in preserving the lineage through which His promises would be fulfilled, providing hope and a renewed sense of identity to a people grappling with their historical and religious roots after the trauma of exile. This is not merely a historical record but a theological statement about divine faithfulness.