1 Chronicles 3 14

1 Chronicles 3:14 kjv

Amon his son, Josiah his son.

1 Chronicles 3:14 nkjv

Amon his son, and Josiah his son.

1 Chronicles 3:14 niv

Amon his son, Josiah his son.

1 Chronicles 3:14 esv

Amon his son, Josiah his son.

1 Chronicles 3:14 nlt

Amon, and Josiah.

1 Chronicles 3 verses

1 Chronicles 3 14 Meaning

The precise wording "Amon his son, Amon his son" as 1 Chronicles 3:14 presents a significant textual curiosity. In its immediate context, if it were present, it would indicate a redundant genealogical entry, identifying Amon as the son in succession. Genealogies, like the one found in 1 Chronicles 3, primarily serve to trace lineages, confirming identity, heritage, and, critically, the continuity of the royal line of David. If this specific verse is taken, its repeated declaration of Amon as "his son" is an unusual reiteration in such concise lists. It stands out in a chapter typically moving briskly from one generation to the next.

1 Chronicles 3 14 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 3 is a comprehensive genealogy tracing the royal line of David. Beginning with David's sons, it systematically records the succession of kings who sat on the throne in Jerusalem, emphasizing the Judahite lineage which carried the promise of an enduring kingdom. This meticulous recording of the royal ancestry served a vital purpose for the post-exilic Jewish community, for whom the book of Chronicles was written. It reaffirmed their national identity, their heritage, and most significantly, God's enduring covenant with the house of David (2 Sam 7).

Within this chapter, 1 Chronicles 3:13 concludes with Josiah, identifying him as the son of Amon, who was the son of Manasseh. The existence of a distinct 1 Chronicles 3:14 as "Amon his son, Amon his son" is highly unusual. Most ancient manuscripts (including the Masoretic Text) and modern critical translations (ESV, NIV, NASB, etc.) omit this verse entirely, moving directly from 1 Chronicles 3:13 to 1 Chronicles 3:15, which begins listing the sons of Josiah.

Amon (reigned c. 642–640 BC) was a king of Judah, the son of Manasseh and father of Josiah. His brief reign of two years was characterized by extreme wickedness and a return to the idolatrous practices of his father, Manasseh (2 Kgs 21:19-22; 2 Chr 33:21-23), though unlike Manasseh, he did not repent. He was assassinated by his own servants, leading to an unsettled period before the accession of his son, the righteous King Josiah, at the age of eight. The inclusion of Amon in the lineage, despite his wickedness and short reign, underscores the Chronicler's primary goal: to maintain the unbroken chain of the Davidic line, illustrating God's sovereignty over history and His commitment to His covenantal promises regardless of the human characters involved. The genealogies were a powerful reassurance for a people dispossessed of their monarchy and in exile, emphasizing hope for a future Davidic king.

1 Chronicles 3 14 Word analysis

• Amon (אָמוֹן - 'Amon):

  • This name means "master worker," "builder," or "faithful," which stands in stark ironic contrast to his recorded actions as a wicked king.
  • He succeeded his father Manasseh and perpetuated his father's idolatrous ways (2 Kgs 21:20; 2 Chr 33:22). His reign was brief, only two years, before he was assassinated.
  • His significance in the genealogy is primarily as a direct link between Manasseh and Josiah, highlighting God's faithfulness to preserve the Davidic line despite the moral failures of individual kings. The name itself is the primary unique element. If repeated, it draws specific, albeit mysterious, attention to him.

• his son (בְּנֽוֹ - beno):

  • This is a possessive phrase, literally "his son," indicating direct patrilineal descent.
  • In the context of biblical genealogies, "his son" establishes a clear and unbroken chain of lineage, vital for validating claims of inheritance, tribal identity, and especially the Davidic royal succession.
  • The continuous use of "his son" throughout the genealogies reinforces the chronological flow and the meticulous nature of these records, even when connecting wicked kings like Amon to righteous ones like Josiah. The simple phrase denotes continuation of the family line, covenant promises, and royal succession.

• Words-group analysis ("Amon his son, Amon his son"):

  • The very repetition of "Amon his son" within a single verse is highly atypical for biblical genealogies, which prioritize brevity and moving efficiently through generations.
  • This textual anomaly could suggest several possibilities if it is indeed the intended text for 1 Chr 3:14. It might be a scribal error (e.g., dittography, accidental repetition).
  • If intentional, it could imply emphasis, though the purpose of emphasizing a short-lived, wicked king is obscure without further context. Perhaps it stresses the immediate connection to Josiah as his direct son, providing immediate lineage continuity for the righteous Josiah despite Amon's negative example. However, without external textual support for this repetition, its interpretation remains speculative.
  • It minimally affirms the connection of Amon as a son in the lineage, contributing to the broader Davidic sequence which ultimately leads to Christ, regardless of the individual character of the persons listed.

1 Chronicles 3 14 Bonus section

• Textual Critical Anomaly: The phrasing "Amon his son, Amon his son" for 1 Chronicles 3:14 is not found in the standard Hebrew Masoretic Text or most widely accepted ancient manuscripts (e.g., Septuagint, Vulgate). Many modern critical translations (e.g., ESV, NIV, NASB, NET) skip directly from 1 Chronicles 3:13 (which lists "Amon his son, Josiah his son") to 1 Chronicles 3:15 (listing Josiah's sons). The specific phrase "Amon his son, Amon his son" as verse 14 might originate from a particular less common textual variant or reflect a scribal repetition (dittography) in a specific manuscript tradition.
• Theology of Genealogies: In Chronicles, genealogies are a theological backbone, not just historical records. They serve to:
  1. Legitimize Community Identity: Establishing who belonged to post-exilic Israel.
  2. Affirm Covenant Faithfulness: Showing God's continuous fulfillment of His promises, especially the Davidic covenant, despite national disaster and exile.
  3. Point to Hope: The unbroken royal line provided assurance of a future restoration and the ultimate advent of the Messianic King from David's lineage.
• Chronicler's Emphasis: The author of Chronicles (traditionally Ezra) often emphasizes positive reigns, Temple worship, and direct Davidic kingship more than the Book of Kings. While not elaborating on Amon's wickedness in the genealogy itself, his presence silently attests to God's patient endurance and overarching plan through all types of kings, highlighting that His divine will is paramount to human frailty.

1 Chronicles 3 14 Commentary

The precise nature of 1 Chronicles 3:14, particularly the phrase "Amon his son, Amon his son," presents a challenge due to its unusual textual occurrence across different biblical versions. While many prominent translations omit a distinct 1 Chronicles 3:14 after Josiah, its inclusion here points to the meticulousness of genealogical records. Genealogies in the Bible are never mere dry lists of names; they are theological statements profoundly underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, especially the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7).

The specific mention of Amon within this royal line, whether singularly (in 3:13) or redundantly (as potentially in 3:14), highlights a key theological truth: God’s plan of salvation and His covenantal faithfulness proceed despite and through the unfaithfulness and moral failures of individuals. Amon was a notoriously wicked king whose reign ended abruptly in assassination. Yet, he is faithfully listed in the sacred lineage leading ultimately to Jesus Christ (Mat 1:10). This continuity, irrespective of the character of some kings, emphasizes God's sovereign hand guiding history and fulfilling His purposes.

The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community yearning for identity and hope, painstakingly recorded this lineage to remind them of their roots, their divine election, and the enduring promise of a king from David's house. The inclusion of even less notable or wicked figures like Amon reaffirms that God works through a diverse tapestry of human lives, orchestrating events to fulfill His eternal purposes for His people and the ultimate coming of the Messiah. It implicitly teaches that human unfaithfulness cannot thwart divine faithfulness (Rom 3:3-4).