1 Chronicles 2 51

1 Chronicles 2:51 kjv

Salma the father of Bethlehem, Hareph the father of Bethgader.

1 Chronicles 2:51 nkjv

Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.

1 Chronicles 2:51 niv

Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.

1 Chronicles 2:51 esv

Salma, the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth-gader.

1 Chronicles 2:51 nlt

Salma (the founder of Bethlehem), and Hareph (the founder of Beth-gader).

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 51 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:51 continues the detailed genealogy of Caleb's descendants within the tribe of Judah, specifically identifying Salma, a son of Hur, as the "father of Beth-lehem." It then enumerates various associated families and territorial groupings within Salma's lineage, including the Netophathites, Zoreathites, and a portion of the Manahathites and Zoreites. This verse establishes a genealogical and geographical link between a prominent Calebite family and key settlements and sub-clans in the heartland of Judah.

1 Chronicles 2 51 Context

1 Chronicles 2:51 is embedded within an extensive genealogical account of the tribe of Judah, specifically focusing on the lineage of Caleb. Chapter 2 meticulously records the descendants of Jacob through Judah, setting the stage for the prominence of David's line. Verses 50-54 present the "sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah," thus listing various sub-clans and families who trace their ancestry through Caleb's son, Hur. This verse therefore explains that Salma, Hur's son and Caleb's grandson, was the patriarchal figure from whom a significant part of Bethlehem's populace and its surrounding associated communities, like the Netophathites and Zoreathites, derived.

Historically and culturally, genealogies in ancient Israel were profoundly significant. They affirmed tribal identity, established rights to land inheritance (crucial for maintaining the tribal allotments received during Joshua's conquest), dictated social standing, and authenticated priestly or kingly claims. For the post-exilic community, for whom the Chronicler primarily wrote, these detailed lists served to reconnect them to their ancestral heritage, providing a sense of continuity, belonging, and divine purpose after generations of displacement and cultural disruption. The meticulous listing underscored God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and upholding His covenant promises through specific families and places, paving the way for the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the advent of the Messiah.

1 Chronicles 2 51 Word analysis

• And: (Hebrew: וְ, wə) A simple conjunction, seamlessly linking this genealogical entry to the preceding ones, indicating continuation in the lineage record.
• Salma: (Hebrew: שַׂלְמָא, Salma) A personal name meaning "garment," "peace," or "recompense." As indicated by the surrounding verses (1 Chr 2:50-51), Salma is a son of Hur, and therefore a grandson of Caleb through his wife Ephrathah. His role here is as a foundational ancestor for a set of Judean clans.
• the father of: (Hebrew: אֲבִי, ʾăvî) Literally "father of." In biblical genealogies, this phrase can signify not just a direct paternal relationship, but also the founder, chief, or influential ancestor of a particular family group, a clan, or even the inhabitants of a specific town. It indicates a primary ancestral link and leadership role.
• Beth-lehem: (Hebrew: בֵּית לֶחֶם, Bēṯ Leḥem) Meaning "house of bread" or "house of food." A prominent town in the territory of Judah. The identification of Salma as "father of Beth-lehem" signifies that his descendants formed a dominant and perhaps original constituent group of the town's inhabitants, establishing a deep and early Calebite connection to this crucially important location. This tribal lineage is foundational to Bethlehem's historical and spiritual significance, most notably as the future birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ.
• the Netophathites: (Hebrew: נְטֹפָתִי, Nəṭop̄āṯî) A gentilical name referring to the inhabitants of Netophah, a town situated near Bethlehem. The name may imply "dropping" or "distilling." These were a distinct sub-group within Judah, mentioned elsewhere as loyal returnees from exile (Neh 7:26) and sometimes associated with skilled Levites or musicians (Neh 12:28). Their inclusion demonstrates the varied composition of families tracing their descent from Salma.
• of Joab: (Hebrew: יוֹאָב, Yoʾāḇ) Joab means "Yahweh is father." This refers to an individual or a clan associated with Salma's lineage, distinct from the famous general Joab. The preposition "of" suggests belonging or association within this larger familial unit.
• the Zoreathites: (Hebrew: צָרְעָתִי, Ṣārəʿāṯî) Denotes the inhabitants of Zorah (Judg 13:2), a significant town in the Shephelah region of Judah, known as the birthplace of Samson. This connection highlights the geographical spread and influence of Salma's descendants across important Judean territories.
• and half: (Hebrew: וַחֲצִי, waḥăṣî) Indicates a division or portion, implying that only a segment of the "Manahathites" or "Zoreites" belonged to or were accounted under Salma's direct lineage. This illustrates the complex and sometimes interwoven nature of ancient tribal divisions and land ownership.
• of the Manahathites: (Hebrew: הַמָּנַחְתִּי, HammaNnaḥtî) Referring to the inhabitants or a clan from Manahath, a place possibly in Benjamin or Judah (compare 1 Chr 8:6). The name may mean "resting place." Their inclusion here points to internal subdivisions or localized familial links within Judah.
• the Zoreites: (Hebrew: צָרְעָה, Ṣārʿāh) A variant or related term to "Zoreathites," indicating people from Zorah. Its re-mention might specify a particular subset or a different emphasis of the people connected to Zorah within Salma's descendants.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Salma the father of Beth-lehem": This phrase is of paramount importance. It suggests that Salma, a direct descendant of Caleb and Hur, was the ancestral figure from whom the key families of Bethlehem primarily descended, or who was the principal leader among its early inhabitants. This statement establishes Bethlehem not just as a location, but as a deeply rooted part of the Calebite heritage, prophetically setting the stage for its central role in God's redemptive history through the Davidic lineage.
• "Beth-lehem, the Netophathites, of Joab, the Zoreathites, and half of the Manahathites, the Zoreites": This collective enumeration provides a detailed map of the interwoven familial and territorial landscape within Judah. It underscores the meticulous approach of the Chronicler to demonstrating the intricate composition of Israel's tribes. By listing specific groups like the Netophathites (often linked to Temple servants/singers) and Zoreathites (connected to Samson's home), the verse paints a picture of a diverse yet interconnected society descended from a common Calebite patriarch, providing a robust sense of lineage, identity, and claim to the promised land for the post-exilic community.

1 Chronicles 2 51 Bonus section

The detailed and sometimes seemingly redundant lists in Chronicles, exemplified by 1 Chronicles 2:51, are a testament to the theological and historical priorities of the Chronicler. For the community of Judah returning from Babylonian exile, identity, legitimacy, and land inheritance were paramount concerns. These genealogies served as:

• Proof of Identity: Reconnecting individuals to their ancient tribes and families, confirming their status as true Israelites and inheritors of God's covenant promises.
• Basis for Inheritance: Legitimizing claims to ancestral lands allocated during the conquest under Joshua, crucial for re-establishing life in the post-exilic period.
• Anticipation of Messiah: The detailed focus on Judah, and particularly its internal structures through Caleb's lineage leading to figures associated with Bethlehem, indirectly points toward the preservation of the Messianic line, assuring the readers that God's ultimate promises were secure despite exile and upheaval. The connection of Salma's father, Hur, to crucial figures like Bezalel, the tabernacle builder (Ex 31:2), subtly reinforces that spiritual leadership, craftsmanship, and divine favor flowed through these foundational families, preparing for God's larger plans. The depth of the "house of bread" (Beth-lehem) in Judah's history, through figures like Salma, suggests divine providence was already at work, even in these earliest family formations.

1 Chronicles 2 51 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:51, though appearing as a mere list of names and places, holds profound significance within the Chronicler's larger narrative purpose. By linking Salma, a descendant of the loyal Caleb and the influential Hur, directly to Bethlehem and several other defined communities, the verse emphasizes the enduring vitality and extensive reach of Caleb's line within the tribe of Judah. It demonstrates how various clans and localities—each with their own history and associations—are all rooted in the lineage God preserved.

For the returning exiles, this meticulous genealogical record affirmed their ancient land claims and reaffirmed their place within God's covenant people. The naming of "Beth-lehem" here is particularly powerful. While simply a factual record for its original readers, it retroactively connects the foundations of the town that would become central to Israel's royal history to its very earliest tribal structures, long before the birth of King David. This detail highlights God's sovereignty over history, preparing for the advent of Israel's shepherd-king and, ultimately, the Messiah, who would emerge from "Beth-lehem Ephrathah" (Mic 5:2). The verse thus serves as a theological thread, meticulously connecting Judah's past to its Messianic future, illustrating the faithfulness of God in maintaining His promises through specific families and places over generations.