1 Chronicles 2:6 kjv
And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.
1 Chronicles 2:6 nkjv
The sons of Zerah were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara?five of them in all.
1 Chronicles 2:6 niv
The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol and Darda?five in all.
1 Chronicles 2:6 esv
The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara, five in all.
1 Chronicles 2:6 nlt
The sons of Zerah were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Darda ? five in all.
1 Chronicles 2 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 38:30 | "Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread..." | Birth of Zerah with the scarlet thread. |
| Gen 46:12 | "The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah..." | Zerah listed as Judah's son. |
| Num 26:20 | "The sons of Judah according to their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezhites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites." | Zerahites enumerated in the wilderness census. |
| Josh 7:1 | "But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan, the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah..." | Achan, a descendant of Zerah. |
| 1 Chr 2:4 | "And Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah..." | Immediate context, Zerah's birth noted. |
| 1 Chr 2:5 | "The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul." | Immediate context, Zerah's twin brother's lineage. |
| 1 Chr 2:7 | "The sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel..." | Continuation of Zerah's genealogy through Zimri (Achar). |
| 1 Chr 4:1 | "The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal." | Further detailed Judahite genealogies. |
| 1 Kgs 4:31 | "For he was wiser than all other men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol..." | Crucial parallel identifying wise men. |
| Ps 88:1 | "A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite." | Psalm attributed to Heman, Ezrahite. |
| Ps 89:1 | "A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite." | Psalm attributed to Ethan, Ezrahite. |
| Ezra 2:59 | "The following were those who came up from Tel-melah..." | Importance of tracing lineage after exile. |
| Neh 7:61 | "The following were those who came up from Tel-melah..." | Emphasizes precise lineage record post-exile. |
| Ex 6:14-25 | "These are the heads of their fathers’ houses..." | Example of other tribal genealogies. |
| Num 1:1-46 | "The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai..." | Census highlighting exact counts of tribes. |
| Neh 11:4-6 | "And in Jerusalem lived some of the people of Judah..." | Post-exilic listing of families residing in Jerusalem. |
| Matt 1:1 | "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ..." | Beginning of NT genealogy, highlighting its importance. |
| Lk 3:23-38 | "Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli..." | Extensive NT genealogy, underscoring careful lineage. |
| Gen 5:1-32 | "This is the book of the generations of Adam..." | Earliest biblical genealogies of humankind. |
| 1 Chr 9:1 | "So all Israel was enrolled in genealogies..." | The general practice of detailed enrollment. |
| 1 Chr 27:1-24 | "Now this is the list of the people of Israel..." | Organized lists for military and administrative purposes. |
| Acts 17:26 | "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth..." | God's design for human lineage and nations. |
1 Chronicles 2 verses
1 Chronicles 2 6 Meaning
1 Chronicles 2:6 serves as a continuation of the detailed genealogies of the tribe of Judah, specifically enumerating the direct sons of Zerah. It precisely lists five individuals: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara. This verse's primary purpose is to provide an exact historical record of this particular lineage, reinforcing the identity and heritage of the Israelites in the post-exilic period by carefully preserving the tribal records from ancient times.
1 Chronicles 2 6 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 2 opens with a broad overview of Israel's twelve sons before quickly narrowing the focus to the lineage of Judah. This emphasis is critical because the Davidic kingship and ultimately the Messiah would descend from this tribe. Within Judah's genealogy, Perez and Zerah are identified as twin sons. Verses 5-15 then meticulously detail their descendants. Verse 6 specifically delves into the sons of Zerah. The larger book of Chronicles was compiled in the post-exilic period, aiming to establish and affirm the continuity of God's covenant promises, especially regarding the restored community's identity and their connection to their heritage and the Temple. Genealogical records, like this verse, were crucial for validating claims to tribal lands, priestly functions, and reaffirming the Davidic line for future expectations.
1 Chronicles 2 6 Word analysis
The sons: Hebrew: בְּנֵי֙ (benei). This plural construct noun means "sons of," "descendants of," or "offspring of." It indicates a direct patrilineal relationship, fundamental to ancient Near Eastern genealogies and crucial for establishing lineage and inheritance rights within Israelite society.
of Zerah: Hebrew: זֶ֖רַח֙ (Zerah). The name means "rising," "dawn," or "brightness." Zerah is one of Judah's twin sons by Tamar (Gen 38:30). He was notable for being born second but marked with a scarlet thread on his hand during his attempted first emergence. This unique birth narrative sets his line apart slightly from Perez, from whom David descended. His line held significant status.
Zimri: Hebrew: זִמְרִ֣י (Zimri). A name appearing in a few biblical contexts; its exact meaning here is debated but could relate to "my music" or "my branch." He is also referred to as "Zabdi" in Joshua 7:1, likely the same individual.
Ethan: Hebrew: אֵיתָן֙ (Eitan). The name means "enduring," "firm," "constant," or "perennial." Ethan is known as "the Ezrahite" in Psalm 89:1. He is famous for his wisdom, being mentioned alongside Solomon, Heman, Calcol, and Dara in 1 Kings 4:31.
Heman: Hebrew: הֵימָ֔ן (Heman). The name means "faithful," "trustworthy," or "true." Heman, like Ethan, is identified as "the Ezrahite" (Ps 88:1), suggesting he belongs to Zerah's lineage. He is also listed among the exceptionally wise men in 1 Kings 4:31, renowned enough to be a benchmark for wisdom.
Calcol: Hebrew: כַּלְכֹּל֙ (Kalkol). The name's meaning is less certain, possibly related to "sustenance" or "all-wise." He is one of the four wise men mentioned with Solomon in 1 Kings 4:31.
and Dara: Hebrew: דָּ֑רַע (Dara). In 1 Kings 4:31, this name appears as Darda (דַּרְדַּע). The slight difference could be a scribal variant or a short form. The meaning is sometimes associated with "pearl of wisdom" or "arm of knowledge." He is the fourth of the exceptionally wise individuals listed.
five in all: Hebrew: חֲמִשָּׁה֩ (chamishshah). This numerical summation signifies precision and completeness for this particular list. It emphasizes that this enumeration of Zerah's sons is exhaustive as presented.
Words-group Analysis:
- Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara: This specific grouping of names from Zerah's lineage immediately calls to mind the notable passage in 1 Kings 4:31 (Hebrew 1 Kings 5:11), which compares Solomon's wisdom to these four, identifying them as preeminent wise men from a specific tradition. While Zimri is not explicitly listed in 1 Kings 4:31 as one of the four wisest, his inclusion here places him within the same distinguished familial group, suggesting shared heritage or proximity to such figures. This connection elevates this genealogical entry beyond a mere list, indicating a line of significant intellectual or spiritual prowess within Judah, specifically from Zerah.
1 Chronicles 2 6 Bonus section
- The Ezrahites: Ethan and Heman are specifically referred to as "the Ezrahite" in the titles of Psalms 88 and 89 respectively. This term strongly connects them to Zerah (
Ezrahis a form of Zerah), thereby firmly placing their profound wisdom and spiritual insight within this specific branch of Judah's family tree. This highlights that not just physical lineage but also a legacy of God-given wisdom and spiritual depth passed through these lines. - The Chronicler's Purpose: The inclusion of this verse and its specific names serves the broader theological agenda of the Chronicler. By including figures known for their wisdom (Ethan, Heman, Calcol, Dara/Darda), the text enriches the heritage of Judah, showing that God blessed this tribe with more than just royalty. It subtly emphasizes divine favor beyond the immediate Davidic line, reminding the post-exilic community of the multifaceted strengths and blessings within their history, encouraging hope and steadfastness in their return and rebuilding efforts.
- Distinction from other Heman: It is important to note that this Heman the Ezrahite (son of Zerah) is distinct from Heman, the son of Joel, a Kohathite Levite and leading Temple musician appointed by King David (1 Chr 6:33, 25:1). While both were highly significant figures, they belonged to different tribal and family lines. The Heman in 1 Chronicles 2:6 is from the tribe of Judah, known for wisdom, whereas the other Heman is a Levite, known for musical service in the Temple.
1 Chronicles 2 6 Commentary
1 Chronicles 2:6 is a compact but highly significant genealogical entry. It underscores the meticulousness with which Israel, particularly post-exile, preserved its ancestral records. The naming of Zerah's five sons provides a vital link in the intricate web of Judah's lineage. More than just a list, this verse implicitly highlights the distinguished wisdom tradition associated with Zerah's line through figures like Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara, as paralleled in 1 Kings 4:31. For the returning exiles, such records were foundational. They verified their tribal identities, cemented their claims to the Promised Land, and reaffirmed God's covenant promises to His chosen people. The Chronicler’s careful enumeration, "five in all," reinforces the accuracy and divine oversight in maintaining these records. It reminded them that the legacy of Judah was not solely one of kingship (from Perez's line) but also one of profound wisdom and divine inspiration (from Zerah's line).