1 Chronicles 4 1

1 Chronicles 4:1 kjv

The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.

1 Chronicles 4:1 nkjv

The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.

1 Chronicles 4:1 niv

The descendants of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Karmi, Hur and Shobal.

1 Chronicles 4:1 esv

The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.

1 Chronicles 4:1 nlt

The descendants of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 1 Meaning

1 Chronicles 4:1 begins a new section of genealogical records, specifically focusing on the further descendants of Judah. It provides a foundational list of Judah's direct or primary lines through his most prominent sons and their immediate offshoots, establishing the ancestry that would later connect to the Davidic kings and the wider families of the southern kingdom. The precise individuals listed here, Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal, represent important branches of Judah's lineage.

1 Chronicles 4 1 Context

This verse immediately follows a lengthy genealogical list in chapters 1-3 that traces human history from Adam, through the patriarchs, down to David and his royal descendants. 1 Chronicles 4:1 marks a pivot, moving from the specific royal line to begin a more detailed enumeration of other prominent families within the tribe of Judah, a tribe chosen by God for leadership and from which the Davidic dynasty emerged. Historically, after the Babylonian exile, meticulously recorded genealogies like these were vital for the returned exiles to re-establish their identity, lay claim to ancestral lands, affirm their roles (especially for priests and Levites), and understand their place in God's continuing covenant plan. The Chronicler emphasizes Judah due to its historical and future theological significance.

1 Chronicles 4 1 Word analysis

• The sons of Judah: Hebrew: בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה (bə-nê Yehūḏāh).

  • Sons (בְּנֵי, bə-nê): The plural construct form of בֵּן (bēn), meaning "son." In genealogical contexts, "sons" can refer not only to direct offspring but also to descendants, clans, or prominent family branches that stem from the individual named. This phrase highlights lineage and tribal identity, which is central to the Book of Chronicles.
  • Judah (יְהוּדָה, Yehūḏāh): Meaning "praised" or "thanksgiving." Judah was the fourth son of Jacob (Israel) and Leah, blessed by Jacob to be the leading tribe from which kingship would come (Gen 49:8-10). The Chronicler gives primacy to Judah due to its role in the Davidic dynasty and as the core of the post-exilic community.

• Perez (פֶּרֶץ, Pereṣ): Meaning "breach" or "breakthrough." Perez was the son of Judah by Tamar (Gen 38:29) and is the direct ancestor of King David and, through David, of Jesus (Ruth 4:18-22, Matt 1:3). His inclusion at the forefront signifies his crucial genealogical link to the messianic line.

• Hezron (חֶצְרוֹן, Ḥeṣrôn): Meaning "enclosure." Hezron was one of the two sons of Perez (Gen 46:12, Num 26:21). He is another essential link in the lineage from Judah to David, underscoring the specific ancestral path emphasized by the Chronicler.

• Carmi (כַּרְמִי, Karmî): Meaning "my vineyard." In this verse, Carmi is listed as a descendant alongside direct sons and grandsons. This is significant because Carmi is not usually listed as a direct son of Judah in other prominent genealogies (Gen 46:12, Num 26:20), which typically list Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah. Another Carmi appears in 1 Chr 2:7 as a son of Zabdi, descendant of Zerah. The inclusion of Carmi here indicates that the Chronicler is presenting a specific, selective genealogical thread that emphasizes certain families important to the post-exilic community or to the territorial distribution, even if not directly sons of Judah but prominent sub-branches considered key to the "sons of Judah." This might represent a chief house or significant clan of Judah.

• Hur (חוּר, Ḥûr): Meaning "noble" or "free." Hur is notably associated with the family of Caleb (1 Chr 2:19), being Caleb's son, and as the grandfather of Bezalel, the chief artisan of the Tabernacle (Ex 31:2, Ex 35:30). His inclusion further links this genealogical segment to families of significance in Israel's history, highlighting those who contributed to sacred crafts or held positions of authority.

• Shobal (שׁוֹבָל, Šōḇāl): Meaning "flowing." Shobal is mentioned as a "father" of Kirjath-jearim in 1 Chr 2:50, suggesting a connection to territorial occupation or settlement. His appearance in this list further expands the tribal record to encompass important territorial clans associated with Judah.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The sons of Judah; Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.": This phrasing indicates that the Chronicler is providing a selection of leading descendants of Judah rather than a strict chronological list of all his direct sons. The structure signifies an enumeration of foundational family lines that comprise the larger tribe, critical for understanding their internal structure, leadership, and land claims in the post-exilic period. The choice of these specific names over others highlights their significance for the Chronicler's audience. This list serves to authenticate and affirm the various tribal subdivisions and their importance within the wider nation of Israel, centered around Judah.

1 Chronicles 4 1 Bonus section

The seemingly abrupt listing of Carmi, Hur, and Shobal alongside Perez and Hezron (who are typically sons/grandsons of Judah in direct Davidic lineage) indicates the Chronicler's literary and theological purpose. Instead of a rigid list of direct sons of Judah (Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, Zerah), the Chronicler often selects specific individuals or groups for their significance to the emerging post-exilic community, their geographic importance, or their connection to particular events (e.g., Hur and Bezalel's association with the Tabernacle). This illustrates the flexibility in ancient Hebrew genealogies, which sometimes prioritized socio-political structures or the emphasis of particular clans rather than strict biological order of birth. The Chronicler's primary goal was to provide hope and re-establish identity by showing God's faithful preservation of a continuous people, rooted in promises made to their ancestors, particularly through the line of Judah.

1 Chronicles 4 1 Commentary

1 Chronicles 4:1 begins a more detailed exposition of the tribe of Judah after providing an overview of David's royal lineage. It's a foundational verse for the tribal accounts that follow, establishing the principal branches through which Judah's extensive progeny would be tracked. The immediate naming of Perez and Hezron is expected, as they are central to the Davidic line already established (as seen in Ruth and Matthew). The inclusion of Carmi, Hur, and Shobal, who might be direct sons, or more likely, significant descendants or clan founders grouped for organizational clarity, highlights the Chronicler's selective approach. These genealogies are not just random lists; they served vital post-exilic purposes, demonstrating continuity with God's covenant promises, confirming inheritance rights, establishing legitimacy for temple service, and reinforcing the identity of a scattered people who traced their roots back to a common ancestor chosen by God. For the post-exilic community, these names represented living links to their heritage, reminding them of God's faithfulness despite their past failures.