1 Chronicles 4 24

1 Chronicles 4:24 kjv

The sons of Simeon were, Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul:

1 Chronicles 4:24 nkjv

The sons of Simeon were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul,

1 Chronicles 4:24 niv

The descendants of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah and Shaul;

1 Chronicles 4:24 esv

The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul;

1 Chronicles 4:24 nlt

The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zohar, and Shaul.

1 Chronicles 4 24 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Gen 46:10The sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar,...Simeon's sons at descent to Egypt.
Num 26:12The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:Census list during wilderness wanderings.
Josh 19:1And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families...Simeon's allotted inheritance within Judah.
Judg 1:3And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites...Simeon fighting alongside Judah.
Gen 49:7I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.Jacob's prophecy of Simeon's dispersion.
Deut 33:6Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.Simeon notably omitted from Moses' blessing.
Num 1:23Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.Large initial numbers of Simeonites.
Num 26:14These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.Reduced numbers of Simeonites at 2nd census.
1 Chron 1:1Adam, Sheth, Enosh,...Chronicles' emphasis on historical genealogies.
1 Chron 2:1These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah...Direct listing of Jacob's sons.
1 Chron 9:1So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah...Purpose of recording Israel's lineages.
Ezra 2:62These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy...Importance of genealogies for returnees.
Neh 7:64These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy...Verifying priestly claims by lineage.
Matt 1:1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.New Testament emphasis on Messiah's lineage.
Luke 3:23And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,...Jesus' lineage traced through his mother's side.
Heb 7:14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.Tribal identity significant for priestly roles.
Rev 7:7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand.Simeon included among sealed in End Times.
Psa 78:6-7That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born...Passing on historical memory through generations.
Neh 11:3-4Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem...Resettlement required verification of ancestry.
Rom 11:1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.God's faithfulness to Israel through lineage.

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 24 Meaning

First Chronicles chapter 4 verse 24 precisely lists the principal sons of Simeon, namely Nimuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul. This verse functions as a critical genealogical record, connecting the post-exilic community to their ancestral heritage within the tribe of Simeon, highlighting God's remembrance of all tribal lineages, even those with diminishing prominence.

1 Chronicles 4 24 Context

1 Chronicles 4:24 is situated within the extensive genealogical records that open the book of 1 Chronicles. Chapters 1-9 are dedicated to chronicling the lineage of Israel, beginning from Adam, through the patriarchs, and detailing the twelve tribes, particularly focusing on Judah and Levi. This specific verse provides a segment of the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon. The Chronicler, writing for the post-exilic community returning to Judah, emphasizes these genealogies to reaffirm national and religious identity. They provide continuity with ancient Israel, legitimize land claims, verify priestly and kingly lines, and underscore God's enduring covenant faithfulness. The mention of Simeon's sons here confirms the tribe's historical existence and contribution despite its decreasing size and later integration within Judah's territory.

1 Chronicles 4 24 Word analysis

  • And (וְ-, wə-): A conjunction, common in Hebrew, signifying continuity. It links this list of Simeon's sons to the preceding genealogical information about Judah and implicitly, to Jacob's other sons.
  • the sons of (בְּנֵ֣י, bənê): A plural construct noun meaning "sons of" or "children of." It clearly designates direct descendants or founding members of tribal families. The term denotes kinship, lineage, and often, the heads of family units from whom clans derive.
  • Simeon (שִׁמְע֑וֹן, Šim‘ôn): Second son of Jacob and Leah. His name means "hearing" or "God has heard," rooted in Leah's experience of feeling heard by God (Gen 29:33). Historically, Simeon's tribe received land within Judah, suggesting a degree of assimilation. The inclusion of his lineage here affirms the divine covenant's embrace of all Israel, not just prominent tribes.
  • were: An inferred verb; in Hebrew, it is simply a statement of identity, "the sons of Simeon: X, Y, Z."
  • Nimuel (נְמוּאֵ֗ל, Nəmû’êl): Corresponding to "Jemuel" in Gen 46:10 and Num 26:12. This variation might be due to scribal differences, dialect, or even alternate spellings for the same individual. The name is rarely seen elsewhere and its exact meaning is uncertain.
  • Jamin (יָמִ֛ין, Yāmîn): This name appears consistently in all major lists (Gen 46:10, Num 26:12). It means "right hand" or "south." Its consistency suggests stability in this part of Simeon's lineage.
  • Jarib (יָרִ֥יב, Yārîḇ): This name is distinct in 1 Chronicles 4:24. It often corresponds to "Jachin" (יָכִ֥ין, Yāḵîn) in Gen 46:10 and Num 26:12. "Jarib" can mean "he will contend" or "contender," while "Jachin" means "he establishes." This variance might suggest a variant spelling, an alternative name used by the Chronicler, or potentially a focus on a different aspect or individual within the lineage by the Chronicler compared to earlier Pentateuchal records.
  • Zerah (זֶ֧רַח, Zeraḥ): In Genesis 46:10 and Numbers 26:13, the corresponding name is "Zohar" (צֹ֧חַ, Tsoḥar or Tzohar). "Zerah" means "to shine" or "dawn," while "Zohar" can mean "brightness" or "light." This is another textual variation that scholars attribute to alternate names or differing traditions used by the Chronicler.
  • and Shaul (וְשָׁא֣וּל, wəšā’ûl): Always "Shaul" in the Simeonite lists. The name means "asked" or "prayed for," sharing the same root as the more famous King Saul (who was from Benjamin). The consistency of this name in all genealogies for Simeon indicates its reliable transmission. He is notably mentioned as the "son of a Canaanite woman" in Gen 46:10, a detail omitted here by the Chronicler, possibly focusing only on the tribal line's formal heads.

1 Chronicles 4 24 Bonus section

  • The omission of "Ohad" from 1 Chronicles 4:24, who is listed in Genesis 46:10 as a son of Simeon, but does not have descendants in the Numbers 26:12-14 census, suggests the Chronicler focused on the active family lines that continued or were relevant to the post-exilic community.
  • The placement of Simeon's genealogy directly after Judah's, even though Simeon was the second son and Levi preceded Judah, underscores the close historical and geographical relationship between the two tribes, with Simeon's territory existing as an enclave within Judah.
  • The genealogies in Chronicles serve as a statement against the despair of the exile, showing God's preservation of His chosen people through their lineages, proving His faithfulness transcends national catastrophes.

1 Chronicles 4 24 Commentary

First Chronicles 4:24, while seemingly just a list of names, holds profound theological and historical significance. Its brevity belies its importance within the Chronicler's larger project. For the post-exilic audience, it was crucial to establish a connection to their ancestral past. This verse links the current generation directly to Simeon, one of Jacob's original sons, thereby affirming their continued place within the covenant people of Israel. The inclusion of Simeon's lineage, despite its prophetic diminishing role (Gen 49:7, Deut 33 absence) and historical absorption into Judah, underscores God's meticulous care for all His people, ensuring no tribe is entirely forgotten in the divine record. The subtle variations in names like "Jarib" for "Jachin" and "Zerah" for "Zohar" highlight the Chronicler's specific textual sources or interpretative choices, reinforcing that these genealogies are purposeful compilations, not mere mechanical copies. They testify to the enduring identity and continuity of God's covenant with Israel across generations and exiles.