1 Chronicles 4 30

1 Chronicles 4:30 kjv

And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,

1 Chronicles 4:30 nkjv

Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,

1 Chronicles 4:30 niv

Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,

1 Chronicles 4:30 esv

Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,

1 Chronicles 4:30 nlt

Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 30 Meaning

This verse concludes the listing of specific cities allocated to the tribe of Simeon, highlighting Beth-biri and Shaaraim. The crucial phrase, "until the reign of David," denotes a significant temporal marker. It implies that by the time King David established his unified monarchy, the exclusive tribal distinctiveness or the direct tribal possession of these cities by the Simeonites, as a separate administrative unit within Israel, had transitioned or been altered. This period marks a shift from fragmented tribal autonomy to a more centralized kingdom.

1 Chronicles 4 30 Context

This verse is found within the extensive genealogies presented in the Book of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9). Specifically, it belongs to the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon (1 Chron 4:24-43), whose territory was originally allocated within the larger portion of the tribe of Judah (Josh 19:1). The immediate context of verse 30 lists towns occupied by the descendants of Simeon (1 Chron 4:28-32).

The Chronicler, writing after the Babylonian exile, meticulously compiled these genealogies to reaffirm the identity, heritage, and continuity of God's people, particularly those connected to the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, which formed the remnant returning to rebuild. For Simeon, the mention of "until the reign of David" is a historical note that contrasts with the earlier detailed territorial listings of Joshua and implicitly points to a diminishing of Simeon's distinct tribal identity or exclusive land ownership due to political developments and perhaps the tribe's eventual assimilation into Judah during the unified monarchy. The Chronicler might be highlighting that even as other parts of Simeon's story speak of later expansions (1 Chron 4:39-43), their initial defined tribal land holding was essentially reconfigured under the centralized Davidic administration.

Word Analysis

• and: (וְ - wə) A common Hebrew conjunction, simply connects this listing of cities to the previous ones (Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen) in 1 Chronicles 4:32.
• Beth-biri: (בֵּית בִּרְאִי - Bet Biri) The name possibly means "House of my Well/Cistern" or "House of my Creation/Lord." It is an obscure place, not widely mentioned in other biblical texts, indicating it was likely a smaller, less prominent settlement within Simeon's territory. Its inclusion highlights the Chronicler's detail in documenting tribal inheritances, however small.
• and: (וְ - wə) Again, linking to the next place name.
• Shaaraim: (שַׁעֲרַיִם - Sha'arayim) Meaning "Two Gates." This city is more widely attested in Scripture (Josh 15:36, 1 Sam 17:52), suggesting its significance, perhaps as a border town or a fortified location, tying Simeon's holdings into known geographical landmarks of Judah's Shephelah. Its mention here places Simeon's holdings strategically within reach of major Philistine conflicts.
• These: (אֵלֶּה - ’ēlleh) A demonstrative pronoun, referring collectively to the previously listed cities (including Beth-biri and Shaaraim), affirming their collective identity as specified locations.
• were their cities: (עָרֵיהֶם - ‘ārêhem) Literally "their cities." This phrase unequivocally states possession and designated tribal dwelling, a critical aspect of Israel's covenant relationship with God regarding the promised land. It underscores the specific territories claimed by Simeon's clans.
• until: (עַד - ‘ad) A crucial Hebrew preposition marking a boundary or terminus in time or space. Here, it indicates a chronological limit. It signifies that the state of "being their cities" (in the exclusive sense presented by the genealogies) had a specific endpoint tied to David's ascendancy.
• the reign of David: (מְלֹךְ דָּוִיד - mĕlok Dawid) Lit. "the reigning of David." This denotes the period of David's unified kingdom. It marks a historical turning point when Israel transitioned from a loose tribal confederacy to a centralized monarchy. This implies that during David's rule, these cities (and potentially Simeon's overall distinct status) underwent some administrative or demographic change, possibly being absorbed into the greater unified kingdom, becoming Crown lands, or having their tribal identity within them blurred through assimilation into Judah. It highlights the Chronicler's interest in the Davidic dynasty as the foundational leadership for God's people.

1 Chronicles 4 30 Commentary

1 Chronicles 4:30 offers a concise, historically laden statement regarding the territorial claims of the Simeonite tribe. The verse concludes the enumeration of Simeon's dwelling places with the poignant phrase "until the reign of David." This indicates a temporal terminus, suggesting that by the time David had fully consolidated his kingdom and unified the tribes, the status or specific, independent tribal holding of these cities by Simeon was altered. This could imply a number of changes:

1. Assimilation: Simeon, as a numerically small tribe whose inheritance was entirely within Judah's territory (Josh 19:1), was historically prone to absorption. David's centralized administration likely accelerated this process, dissolving their distinct tribal land claims into the broader Judahite and national framework.
2. Administrative Reorganization: David's monarchy introduced a new level of governance and control. Lands might have transitioned from strictly tribal holdings to royal administration or become part of larger districts under royal appointees, thereby diminishing exclusive tribal control.
3. Emphasis on the Davidic Dynasty: For the post-exilic Chronicler, emphasizing "the reign of David" serves to underscore the theological importance of the Davidic covenant and the unified monarchy as the legitimate and central structure for God's people, even at the expense of highlighting independent tribal identities. The individual tribal genealogies are important, but they ultimately funnel towards the establishment of the Davidic kingdom.

This note, therefore, functions as a historical marker highlighting a significant shift in Israel's socio-political landscape and perhaps reflecting the Chronicler's understanding of Simeon's diminishing, distinct tribal presence.

Bonus SectionThe phrase "until the reign of David" (1 Chron 4:30) can appear in tension with later verses in the same chapter (1 Chron 4:39-43), which describe Simeonite expansion and military victories, seemingly after David's time (implied under King Hezekiah). This apparent contradiction is resolved by understanding the Chronicler's multiple layers of reporting. "Until the reign of David" likely refers to the fixed, originally allocated tribal lands and their administration. The later Simeonite expansion describes dynamic historical actions and migrations that occurred, indicating temporary occupations or ventures beyond their initial inherited boundaries. Thus, the Chronicler might be meticulously detailing original tribal allocations while also acknowledging later, more fluid historical developments. This serves to legitimize historical tribal claims while emphasizing the overall framework of a unified Israel under a king, which was David. It highlights that the fixed, God-given inheritance for Simeon, as documented genealogically, was redefined by the shift to a centralized kingdom, but that God could still empower members of the tribe in subsequent periods.