1 Chronicles 4 19

1 Chronicles 4:19 kjv

And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.

1 Chronicles 4:19 nkjv

The sons of Hodiah's wife, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and of Eshtemoa the Maachathite.

1 Chronicles 4:19 niv

The sons of Hodiah's wife, the sister of Naham: the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maakathite.

1 Chronicles 4:19 esv

The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite.

1 Chronicles 4:19 nlt

Hodiah's wife was the sister of Naham. One of her sons was the father of Keilah the Garmite, and another was the father of Eshtemoa the Maacathite.

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 19 Meaning

This verse is a precise genealogical record detailing a specific line of descent within the tribe of Judah. It identifies "the sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham," as the progenitors or significant figures associated with the establishment and identity of two key communities in Judah: "Keilah the Garmite" and "Eshtemoa the Maachathite." It documents how certain clans derived their origin and identity through a particular matriarchal connection.

1 Chronicles 4 19 Context

This verse is part of an extensive genealogical record within 1 Chronicles, specifically focusing on the descendants of Judah in chapter 4. The Chronicler, compiling these records likely in the post-exilic period, placed great importance on documenting tribal affiliations, land inheritances, and lines of descent, especially for Judah, which carried the lineage of David and housed the restored temple worship. The verse functions as a granular detail within this larger historical and identity-reaffirming framework, establishing specific communal and geographical origins linked to particular families. It underscores the precise connections between various Judean groups and their historical foundations.

1 Chronicles 4 19 Word analysis

• And the sons of the wife of Hodiah:

  • And the sons of (בְּנֵ֣י, bə-nê): Implies descendants, often a collective "clan" or "family line," not exclusively immediate biological sons. This highlights a group.
  • the wife of (אֵשֶׁת, ʾê-šet): Specifies a lineage traced through the mother, a less common but significant detail in biblical genealogies. It denotes the importance or distinction of this particular wife and her offspring.
  • Hodiah (הוֹדִיָּ֙ה, Hōdîyâh): A proper name, likely meaning "majesty of Yahweh" or "Yah is my splendor." It identifies the male head of the household but the lineage is uniquely specified through his wife.

• the sister of Naham:

  • the sister of (אֲח֣וֹת, ʾă-ḥō-wṯ): Further qualifies the identity of Hodiah's wife, linking her to another prominent figure or family named Naham. This could indicate her own distinguished lineage.
  • Naham (נַ֔חַם, Naḥam): A proper name, meaning "comfort" or "consolation." Its mention helps further identify Hodiah's wife, solidifying her background.

• were the father of Keilah the Garmite:

  • were the father of (אֲבִ֛י, ʾă-ḇî): This idiomatic expression in Chronicles signifies not merely a biological father but often the founder, progenitor, or principal leader/settler of a city or clan. It connects the lineage to the origin of a community.
  • Keilah (קְעִילָה, Qeʿîlâh): A historically significant fortified city in the Shephelah (lowland) region of Judah. Its name means "enclosure" or "fortress."
  • the Garmite (הַגַּרְמִי, hagGarmî): A descriptive, tribal, or clan designation associated with Keilah. The term possibly relates to גֶּרֶם (gerem), meaning "bone" or "body," which could imply a core or robust lineage.

• and Eshtemoa the Maachathite:

  • Eshtemoa (אֶשְׁתְּמֹעַ, ʾEštemōaʿ): Another prominent city in the hill country of Judah, later designated as a Levitical city. Its name means "I shall hear" or "hearing."
  • the Maachathite (הַמַּעֲכָתִי, hamMaʿăkātî): A tribal or ethnic descriptor, indicating origin from or association with Maacah. Maacah could be a personal name or a small Aramean kingdom/region northeast of Bashan. Its inclusion here shows diverse geographical ties or intermingling lineages within Judah.

• Words-group analysis:

  • And the sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham: This specific phrasing highlights a unique maternal lineage. While biblical genealogies typically follow the male line, the Chronicler sometimes notes prominent women or their families, possibly to denote particular status, property rights, or the distinguishing features of the descending groups. It serves to meticulously delineate this branch from other possible lines of Hodiah or from other families.
  • were the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite: This construction connects a specific family branch to the founding or prominence of two named Judean cities or the distinct groups associated with them. It illustrates how the genealogical framework of Chronicles served to root people and clans to particular historical places, reaffirming their tribal land rights and identities post-exile. This link between lineage and locale was vital for reconstituting the community.

1 Chronicles 4 19 Bonus section

• The chronicler's selection and emphasis within genealogies often served theological and communal purposes for his audience returning from exile, highlighting the enduring nature of God's covenant with Abraham and David, and reinforcing the continuity of their identity.
• The appearance of geographical identifiers like "Garmite" and "Maachathite" directly within the genealogy shows how closely tribal identity, family lines, and land were intertwined in ancient Israel. A person's identity was strongly linked to their clan and the territory associated with it.
• The chronicler, more than other historical biblical books, frequently employs the "father of" a place idiom (e.g., "father of Bethlehem"), reflecting a common ancient Near Eastern way of indicating the progenitor or principal inhabitants of a city or district. This is crucial for interpreting these sections beyond simple biological descent.

1 Chronicles 4 19 Commentary

1 Chronicles 4:19 stands as a testament to the Chronicler's intricate attention to detail within the tribal records of Judah. More than a simple list of names, it signifies the precise genealogical pathways by which certain significant Judahite clans or communities originated. The unusual emphasis on "the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham," rather than solely on Hodiah himself, underscores the specific importance of her lineage in defining the subsequent groups. This meticulous documentation of specific maternal lines (though infrequent) implies a crucial element of identity or status for the descendant groups. The "father of" idiom for Keilah and Eshtemoa illustrates how individuals or family lines were perceived as the founders or chief architects of their respective towns or ethno-geographical groups, grounding abstract lineage in tangible, historically known locations. This detailed approach was instrumental in re-establishing communal identity, affirming land claims, and reinforcing the covenant relationship for the post-exilic Israelite community, anchoring them firmly in their heritage.