1 Chronicles 3 21

1 Chronicles 3:21 kjv

And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.

1 Chronicles 3:21 nkjv

The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, and the sons of Shechaniah.

1 Chronicles 3:21 niv

The descendants of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, of Arnan, of Obadiah and of Shekaniah.

1 Chronicles 3:21 esv

The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, his son Rephaiah, his son Arnan, his son Obadiah, his son Shecaniah.

1 Chronicles 3:21 nlt

The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah. Jeshaiah's son was Rephaiah. Rephaiah's son was Arnan. Arnan's son was Obadiah. Obadiah's son was Shecaniah.

1 Chronicles 3 verses

1 Chronicles 3 21 Meaning

1 Chronicles 3:21 presents a specific segment of the post-exilic Davidic lineage. It records Ishi's sons, Zethan, Joel, and Maaseiah, affirming their connection to Ahiah. This verse continues the careful genealogical record maintained by the Chronicler to validate the identity and heritage of the returning exiles, ensuring the continuity of the royal line and its connection to the ancient promises.

1 Chronicles 3 21 Context

This verse is embedded in 1 Chronicles 3, which exclusively details the genealogy of David and his descendants. The first part of the chapter lists David's sons, including Solomon, through whom the royal line continued. Verses 10-16 track the kings of Judah from Solomon to Jeconiah (Jechoniah/Coniah), who was taken into exile. The subsequent verses (17-24) provide a crucial list of descendants born during and after the Babylonian exile, highlighting the enduring nature of the Davidic line despite the loss of the earthly kingdom. Verse 21, specifically, traces one branch of these post-exilic descendants, leading towards the later period. The historical context is the return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. For the post-exilic community, establishing clear ancestral lines was vital for social identity, land inheritance, and validating eligibility for roles within the rebuilt society, especially the priesthood and leadership. It also reinforced the belief in God's faithfulness to His covenant with David, nurturing the hope for a restored kingdom and the promised Messiah.

Word Analysis

• And the sons of: (Heb. וּבְנֵי, u-veney) - A standard introductory phrase for a new generation or branch in a genealogy. It clearly indicates a lineage.
• Ishi: (Heb. אִישִׁי, Ishi) - This name, meaning "my man" or "my husband" in a common form (cf. Hos 2:16), identifies an individual ancestor. In the Chronicler's detailed records, Ishi appears in various lineages, signifying a common Hebrew name. Here, this Ishi is distinct, a descendant in the Davidic line after the exile, emphasizing the ongoing, intricate nature of the royal family tree even in challenging times.
• Zethan: (Heb. זֵיתָן, Zetan) - A personal name. Its specific meaning is uncertain, but its inclusion reinforces the meticulous nature of the genealogical record. These individual names attest to the historical reality and specific individuals composing the returning community, underscoring their legitimacy.
• Joel: (Heb. וְיֹואֵ֖ל, ve-Yoel) - This name means "Yahweh is God." Joel is a relatively common biblical name (e.g., the prophet Joel, Samuel's son). The name carries theological weight, reminding the reader of God's sovereign control and enduring presence amidst human history and changing fortunes. It subtly echoes the faith of the lineage.
• Mabbud his sons: (Heb. מַעֲשֵׂיָֽה בֵן, Ma'aseyah ben, meaning "Maaseiah, his son" or "Maaseiah son") - This phrase reveals a textual variant and requires careful consideration.
  • Textual Note: The Hebrew Masoretic Text consistently reads Ma'aseyah ben ("Maaseiah his son"). The King James Version's "Mabbud his sons" is considered a less accurate reading based on some manuscripts or scribal transmission errors, potentially confusing Maaseiah with Mabbud and misinterpreting the singular ben (son) as plural sons. Most modern translations (e.g., ESV, NASB, NIV in part, depending on their interpretation) follow "Maaseiah, his son."
  • Maaseiah: (Heb. מַעֲשֵׂיָֽה, Ma'aseyah) - Means "work of Yahweh" or "Yahweh has wrought." Like "Joel," this name holds theological significance, suggesting that the very existence and continuation of this family line were seen as an act of God's working, especially pertinent given the desolation and displacement of the exile. It implies God's hand in preserving the lineage.
  • his son: (Heb. בֵֽן, ben) - Clearly states the direct paternal link, establishing Maaseiah as Ishi's son.
• These are the sons of Ahia: (Heb. אֵ֣לֶּה בְנֵ֥י אֲחִֽיָא, Eleh bney Achiya) - This phrase closes the verse, linking the mentioned individuals (Zethan, Joel, and Maaseiah) as descendants under a larger heading, Ahiah.
  • Ahia: (Heb. אֲחִֽיָא, Achiya) - Meaning "my brother is Yahweh" or "brother of Yah." The relationship between Ahia and Ishi is debated among scholars. Some suggest Ahia is an alternative name for Ishi or an earlier ancestor from whom this branch derives. Others view it as a re-statement of a larger family grouping or even a potential scribal inclusion meant to clarify the broader family context. In genealogical lists, such resumptive or clarifying phrases were common to delineate family branches. This confirms the direct bloodline from an identified head.

1 Chronicles 3 21 Commentary

1 Chronicles 3:21 is more than a mere list of names; it serves a profound theological and socio-political purpose for the post-exilic community. By meticulously documenting lineages like that of Ishi's sons, Zethan, Joel, and Maaseiah, the Chronicler reassures the returning exiles of their true Israelite identity and their connection to God's ongoing covenant. The presence of names meaning "Yahweh is God" (Joel) and "Work of Yahweh" (Maaseiah) in these sparse genealogical records is a subtle theological declaration, reminding readers that God remained actively involved in the preservation and sustenance of His people, even through seemingly minor individuals during times of national weakness. This continuous record, especially within the Davidic line, provided foundational hope for the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a righteous king who would sit on David's throne, ultimately realized in Jesus Christ. The attention to detail reflects the high value placed on maintaining pure lineages, crucial for validating claims to inheritance, positions, and, critically, for demonstrating the fulfillment of prophecies related to the coming Messiah from the line of David.

Bonus SectionThe detailed post-exilic genealogies in Chronicles (and Ezra-Nehemiah) present interpretative challenges due to their fragmentary nature, potential for textual variants, and different counting methods compared to other biblical lists. Scholars debate the precise connection of this specific Ahia to the main Davidic branch originating from Zerubbabel (listed earlier in chapter 3) and whether these genealogies imply multiple or compressed generations. These lists serve to affirm a continuing "seed of David," despite the exile's disruptions and the absence of an earthly king. The Chronicler’s focus is not merely historical recitation, but to demonstrate divine faithfulness and to consolidate a unified identity for a renewed nation around the Temple and the Davidic covenant. This meticulous accounting helped define communal belonging and separation from foreign influences in a crucial period of identity formation.