1 Chronicles 4:33 kjv
And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy.
1 Chronicles 4:33 nkjv
and all the villages that were around these cities as far as Baal. These were their dwelling places, and they maintained their genealogy:
1 Chronicles 4:33 niv
and all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath. These were their settlements. And they kept a genealogical record.
1 Chronicles 4:33 esv
along with all their villages that were around these cities as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they kept a genealogical record.
1 Chronicles 4:33 nlt
and their surrounding villages as far away as Baalath. This was their territory, and these names are listed in their genealogical records.
1 Chronicles 4 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 49:7 | I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel. | Jacob's prophecy concerning Simeon's dispersal and lack of distinct territory. |
| Jos 19:1-9 | And the second lot came out for Simeon... among the inheritance of Judah. | Allocation of Simeonite territory within Judah, affirming intermingling. |
| Jdg 1:3, 17 | Judah said to Simeon his brother, "Come up with me... And Judah went with Simeon his brother." Then Judah went with Simeon his brother. | Simeon's reliance on Judah for conquest, hinting at their integrated fate. |
| Num 1:22-23 | Of Simeon, their generations, by their families... and those that were numbered of them, even fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. | Early census records demonstrating the importance of lineage. |
| Num 26:14 | These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred. | A later census, showing a significant decline in Simeon's numbers, contextualizing Chron's focus on lineage continuity. |
| Deut 33:6 | "May Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few," (Simeon is omitted). | Moses' blessing omits Simeon, further suggesting their diminished standing or integration. |
| Ezra 2:59-62 | And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer... sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy. | Emphasis on genealogies for rightful return from exile and claiming heritage. |
| Neh 7:5 | And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. | Nehemiah's concern for meticulous genealogical records for community structure. |
| Ps 78:55 | He drove out the nations before them, and allotted their inheritance by line; he made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. | God's act of allotting land to the tribes. |
| Eze 48:24-25 | "By the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side..." | Visionary future division of land, still acknowledging Simeon's place. |
| Mt 1:1-17 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. | New Testament emphasis on accurate genealogies for Messiah's lineage. |
| Lk 3:23-38 | Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age... the son of David... the son of Adam. | The detailed lineage of Jesus showing His connection to all humanity and Israel. |
| 1 Chr 9:1 | So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah... | The overarching theme of Chron's importance of genealogical records for all Israel. |
| 1 Chr 7:2 | The sons of Tola: Uzzi... of their father's house by their genealogies, were mighty men of valour... | Genealogies also identify strength and prowess within families. |
| 2 Chr 30:1, 10 | Hezekiah also sent to all Israel and Judah... they mocked them and scoffed at them. | Chronicler's focus on uniting all tribes, including scattered ones like Simeon, for worship. |
| 1 Chr 27:19-20 | Of Simeon, Shephatiah the son of Maacah: of Manasseh, Iddo the son of Zechariah... these were the rulers of the tribes of Israel. | List of tribal leaders further emphasizing a structured and recorded Israel. |
| Isa 43:7 | Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. | God's enduring purpose for His people, whose identities are established and recorded. |
| Heb 12:23 | To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are written in heaven. | A divine "register" of God's true people. |
| Rev 20:12 | And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life. | The ultimate record of those who belong to God. |
| Phil 4:3 | whose names are in the book of life. | Reference to a divine record of salvation. |
1 Chronicles 4 verses
1 Chronicles 4 33 Meaning
1 Chronicles 4:33 meticulously concludes the territorial description of the Simeonite descendants, highlighting their residential areas, which included both the established cities and their surrounding villages up to a place named Baal. It affirms that these locations were their fixed settlements and that their complete lineage records, essential for tribal identity and land tenure, were maintained and preserved among them.
1 Chronicles 4 33 Context
1 Chronicles 4:33 is part of the extensive genealogical record that dominates the early chapters of 1 Chronicles. This specific verse concludes the detailed list of the descendants of Simeon (1 Chr 4:24-33), one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Following the lengthy and significant genealogy of Judah (chapters 2-4:23), the Chronicler dedicates a concise but precise section to Simeon. Historically, Simeon's tribal inheritance was situated within Judah's larger territory (Josh 19:1-9), leading to their eventual absorption and dispersal, consistent with Jacob's prophecy (Gen 49:7). However, the Chronicler's inclusion of their detailed lineage and habitations, even to this specific point "unto Baal," served a crucial purpose for the post-exilic community in Israel. It demonstrated the historical continuity and the divine faithfulness in preserving the identity and heritage of all the tribes, even those whose prominence waned. The meticulous recording of cities, villages, and genealogies aimed to reaffirm the true identity of the people returning from Babylon, asserting their connection to the land and the promises of God despite significant disruptions.
1 Chronicles 4 33 Word analysis
And all their villages (וְכָל חֲצֵרֵיהֶם, wĕḵol ḥăṣēriyhem):
- ḥăṣēriyhem (from ḥāṣēr): Signifies unfortified settlements, enclosures, or hamlets outside main cities. This highlights a dual mode of life: urban and semi-nomadic, covering the full scope of their dwelling patterns. The inclusion emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the Chronicler's record of Simeonite habitation.
that were round about (סְבִיבוֹת, sĕvîḇōwt):
- Denotes proximity and attachment to the main cities. It paints a picture of a populated area with central points and radiating smaller communities, typical of ancient agrarian societies.
the same cities (הֶעָרִים, he‘ārîm):
- Refers to the list of cities just mentioned (1 Chr 4:31-32). These were presumably more established, possibly walled towns, contrasting with the "villages."
unto Baal (עַד־בָּעַל, ‘aḏ-bā‘al):
- ‘aḏ: "unto" or "up to." Indicates a geographical boundary or extent.
- Baal (בָּעַל): This is most likely a geographical place name, not the Canaanite deity Baal in this context, though some ancient place names did incorporate "Baal" (e.g., Baal-Peor, Baal-hazor, Baalath-beer). In Simeonite territory, it is often identified with Baalath-Beer (mentioned in Jos 19:8) or simply Beer, signifying a well or spring in the Negev. It denotes the extreme southern extent of their allocated land or sphere of influence. Its inclusion underscores the precise boundaries of their inheritance.
these were their habitations (אֵלֶּה מוֹשְׁבוֹתָם, ’elleh môšḇōwṯām):
- môšḇōwṯām: Their dwelling places, settlements, fixed abodes. Reaffirms that these precisely described locations were indeed where the Simeonites permanently lived, establishing their legal and tribal claims to the land.
and their genealogy (וְיַחֲשָׂם, wĕyaḥăśām):
- yaḥăśām (from yaḥaś): Their registration, reckoning by pedigree, genealogical record. This is a core Chronicler term, emphasizing the critical importance of a verified lineage. For post-exilic Israel, true identity and claims to inheritance (both land and priestly duties) depended on these records. It implies meticulous upkeep and validity of their tribal ties.
was among them (עִמָּהֶם, ‘immāhem):
- Literally "with them." It signifies that the records were maintained within their families and communities, indicating a preserved tribal memory and legal continuity, crucial for identifying themselves as a distinct group within Israel. This suggests self-preservation of identity despite external pressures.
1 Chronicles 4 33 Bonus section
The mention of "Baal" (עַד־בָּעַל, ‘aḏ-bā‘al) at the end of the list of cities and villages is a point of scholarly discussion. While "Baal" is most famously known as the name of a prominent Canaanite deity, in this context, it functions as a specific place name. It is likely a shortened form of "Baalath-Beer" or simply "Beer," which is mentioned in Joshua 19:8 as one of Simeon's cities, located in the Negev. The Chronicler's decision to specifically mention this far-reaching boundary emphasizes the full scope of Simeonite settlement, even into the arid southern regions. This detail showcases the Chronicler's comprehensive knowledge of Israel's tribal allocations and their geographical reality, asserting their complete claim over the God-given territory despite their eventual demographic decline and partial integration into Judah. The precision further reinforces the integrity and divine origin of the Israelite land inheritance.
1 Chronicles 4 33 Commentary
1 Chronicles 4:33 serves as a conclusive summary of the Simeonite settlement, meticulously detailing their residential patterns, from fortified cities to peripheral villages. The verse pinpoints their territorial extent "unto Baal," a geographical marker indicating their reach within the assigned boundaries. The Chronicler's emphasis on "these were their habitations" underlines the permanency and legitimacy of their claim to the land, rooted in divine distribution. Crucially, the final phrase, "and their genealogy was among them," elevates the entire passage beyond a mere geographical listing. It underscores the profound importance of genealogical records in ancient Israel, especially for a tribe like Simeon, whose land was intermingled with Judah and whose numbers had dwindled (cf. Num 26:14 vs. Num 1:23). These genealogies were not just historical archives but living documents vital for preserving tribal identity, determining land inheritance, ensuring proper religious functions (like the priesthood), and proving continuity with the promises of God. For the returning exiles whom the Chronicler addressed, such detailed records offered reassurance that their lineage, heritage, and right to the land remained intact, connecting them to God's faithfulness across generations. This meticulous documentation ultimately affirmed the resilience and continuity of God's covenant people.