1 Chronicles 2 53

1 Chronicles 2:53 kjv

And the families of Kirjathjearim; the Ithrites, and the Puhites, and the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; of them came the Zareathites, and the Eshtaulites,

1 Chronicles 2:53 nkjv

The families of Kirjath Jearim were the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites. From these came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.

1 Chronicles 2:53 niv

and the clans of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites.

1 Chronicles 2:53 esv

And the clans of Kiriath-jearim: the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; from these came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.

1 Chronicles 2:53 nlt

and the families of Kiriath-jearim ? the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites, from whom came the people of Zorah and Eshtaol.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 53 Meaning

This verse details further lineages stemming from Salma, a descendant of Judah through Hur. Specifically, it identifies the clans dwelling in Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites—and clarifies that from these specific families came the inhabitants of Zorah and Eshtaol, namely the Zareathites and Eshtaulites. It underscores the intricate tribal relationships and territorial connections within the larger family of Judah, emphasizing the continuity and specific habitation patterns of these post-exilic community's ancestors.

1 Chronicles 2 53 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 2 opens with the extensive genealogy of Israel, quickly focusing on Judah, the royal tribe. From verse 3, the lineage of Judah, leading through Perez, Hezron, and Ram, and culminating in the Davidic line, is traced. However, intermingled with the prominent royal lineage are the myriad lesser-known families and clans that made up the fabric of the tribe of Judah. Verses 50-55 particularly detail the descendants of Hur, Caleb's son, establishing various crafts and places of habitation. Verse 53 fits into this detailed account of Hur's descendants through Salma, specifying particular families (clans) residing in Kiriath-jearim and noting the derivation of the Zorathites and Eshtaulites from them. This level of detail in the genealogies served a vital purpose for the post-exilic community: to confirm tribal identity, land inheritance claims, and connections to sacred sites and history after generations in Babylon.

1 Chronicles 2 53 Word analysis

• וּמִשְׁפְּחוֹת (ūmishpᵉḥôt) - "And the families/clans."
  • Significance: In ancient Israel, the "family" (Hebrew: mishpachah) was a broad socio-economic and religious unit, larger than the nuclear family, encompassing several households related by common ancestry. Genealogies in the Bible underscore tribal identity, inheritance rights, and community structure. Their meticulous recording was crucial for Israel's self-understanding as God's chosen people, especially after the Babylonian exile, to re-establish their land and temple rights.
• קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Qiryat Yᵉʻārim) - "Kiriath-jearim" ("City of Forests").
  • Meaning: Literally translates to "City of Forests" or "City of Woods."
  • Significance: A prominent town situated on the border of Judah and Benjamin, famously known as the place where the Ark of the Covenant resided for twenty years (1 Sam 7:1-2; 1 Chr 13:5-6) after its return from Philistine captivity, before King David moved it to Jerusalem. Its mention here places these families in a historically and religiously significant location within the tribal territories.
• הַיִתְרִי (ha-Yitri) - "The Ithrites."
  • Significance: A clan name. While Jether (Ithra) appears elsewhere as a personal name, here it signifies a distinct family or subdivision associated with Kiriath-jearim. This precision reinforces the detailed knowledge the chronicler possessed about sub-tribal structures.
• וְהַפּוּתִי (wᵉha-Puthi) - "And the Puthites."
  • Significance: Another clan name. The name "Puthite" is less common in Israelite genealogies in this form. Some scholars suggest a possible link to "Puth" (Punt, ancient Libya/Northeast Africa), implying some ethnic admixture or an obscure local derivation. However, the most direct interpretation within this context is simply a distinct local clan or family name indigenous to the region of Kiriath-jearim, belonging to the broader Judahite network.
• וְהַשּׁוּמָתִי (wᵉha-Shumati) - "And the Shumathites."
  • Significance: A clan name, again highlighting the granular detail of the Chronicler's genealogical records.
• וְהַמִּשְׁרָעִי (wᵉha-Mishra'i) - "And the Mishraites."
  • Significance: Another distinct clan or family name associated with Kiriath-jearim, further showcasing the diverse groups forming Judah's larger tribal identity.
• מֵאֵלֶּה יָצְאוּ (mē'ēlleh yāṣᵉ'ū) - "from these came out / went forth."
  • Significance: This phrase clearly indicates derivation or origin. It means the subsequent groups (Zorathites and Eshtaulites) are descendants or branches of the four previously listed Kiriath-jearim clans, establishing a direct familial connection rather than merely geographical proximity.
• הַצָּרְעָתִי (ha-Tsorʻati) - "The Zareathites / Zorathites."
  • Significance: Clan named after the town of Zorah. Zorah, along with Eshtaol, was famous as the birthplace and childhood home of Samson, a judge of Israel (Judg 13:2, 25). While often associated with the tribe of Dan, its inclusion here suggests an intertwined or overlapping population, or that this particular Judahite clan established dominance or historical connection there. This highlights the fluidity of ancient tribal territories and potential re-settlement patterns.
• וְהָאֶשְׁתָּאֻלִי (wᵉha-'Eshtā'uli) - "And the Eshtaulites."
  • Significance: Clan named after the town of Eshtaol, also closely linked with Zorah and Samson (Judg 13:25; 16:31). Similar to Zorah, its inclusion underscores tribal interrelationships, where clans from Judah settled in or assimilated with Danite territories, reflecting the complex historical landscape beyond strict initial territorial divisions.

1 Chronicles 2 53 Bonus section

The inclusion of such specific, geographically tied clans within the overall Judahite genealogy highlights the Chronicler's emphasis on demonstrating Judah's numerical strength, broad reach, and claim to specific territories. It illustrates that "tribal identity" in ancient Israel was a dynamic, not static, concept, encompassing migrations, annexations, and the blending of populations over centuries. These seemingly obscure details reassured the post-exilic community of their historical claims to land and heritage, countering potential doubts about their authenticity or legitimacy. The genealogical accounts in Chronicles also serve to link the present generation back to the rich narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, Jacob, and David, emphasizing their place in redemptive history.

1 Chronicles 2 53 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:53 is a concise yet significant entry in the detailed genealogical record of the tribe of Judah. It meticulously lists the particular families or clans residing in Kiriath-jearim, demonstrating the precise knowledge and emphasis on lineage within the post-exilic community. By tracing the origin of the Zorathites and Eshtaulites back to these Kiriath-jearim clans, the verse illuminates the complex inter-tribal and geographical connections that characterized ancient Israel. Even towns historically associated with Dan (like Zorah and Eshtaol) are here shown to have connections or components rooted in Judah, highlighting population movement, intermarriage, and perhaps strategic settlements. The Chronicler's painstaking effort in preserving such details speaks to the enduring importance of identity, land tenure, and historical continuity for a people rediscovering their heritage after national dispersion. This serves as a divine reassurance of continuity and ownership in God's ordered plan for His covenant people.