1 Chronicles 4 35

1 Chronicles 4:35 kjv

And Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel,

1 Chronicles 4:35 nkjv

Joel, and Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel;

1 Chronicles 4:35 niv

Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel,

1 Chronicles 4:35 esv

Joel, Jehu the son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel,

1 Chronicles 4:35 nlt

Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel,

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 35 Meaning

1 Chronicles 4:35 introduces key individuals within the lineage of the tribe of Simeon. The verse specifically lists Joel, and Jehu, identified as the son of Josibiah, who was the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel. These individuals are part of a genealogy leading to "chief men" who played significant roles in the expansion and settlement activities of the Simeonite clan described immediately thereafter, highlighting the divine ordering and faithfulness demonstrated through specific families.

1 Chronicles 4 35 Context

1 Chronicles 4 begins with the extensive genealogies of Judah (vv. 1-23), focusing on royal and influential lines, even including skilled artisans. From verse 24 onwards, the chapter shifts to the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon. The Chronicler, writing in the post-exilic period, carefully preserves these records to affirm the continuity of God's people, establish tribal identities, validate land claims, and reconnect the returnees to their rich heritage and divine covenants. The Simeonites, though given territory within Judah (Josh 19:1-9), are highlighted here not just for their names but also for their historical actions of expansion and conquest in the verses immediately following 4:35. This section describes specific clans moving from their initial inheritance due to population growth or desire for more pasture, ultimately displacing the Hamites and Amalekites. Verse 35 names a prominent family line within Simeon—from Asiel to Seraiah, Josibiah, Jehu, and Joel—who are subsequently identified as "chief men" (v. 38) central to this expansion. This seemingly dry list of names provides a foundational context for understanding the faith and actions of the Simeonite community under the LORD's favor.

1 Chronicles 4 35 Word analysis

• And: Connects this line of descendants to the previous ones in the larger genealogical list. It signifies continuity within the narrative flow of Simeon's lineage.
• Joel: (יוֹאֵל, Yo'el). Meaning "Yahweh is God." This is a theophoric name, common in Israel, testifying to the owner's devotion or their family's acknowledgment of the LORD as the supreme deity. Such names served as miniature confessions of faith within a society where personal names often carried deep significance.
• and: Again, indicates continuity in listing individuals in this lineage.
• Jehu: (יֵהוּא, Yehu). Meaning "Yahweh is he" or "He is Yahweh." Another powerful theophoric name, common in biblical history (e.g., King Jehu of Israel). It asserts the sovereignty and distinctness of the LORD.
• the son of: (בֶּן, ben). Standard Hebrew construct indicating patrilineal descent. Crucial for establishing family lines and demonstrating legitimacy within tribal structures. This repetitive phrase undergirds the entire purpose of a genealogy.
• Josibiah: (יוֹשִׁבְיָה, Yoshibyah). Meaning "Yahweh causes to dwell" or "Yahweh causes to sit." A name reflecting the divine hand in providing stability or a home, highly significant for a people often engaged in territorial expansion and settlement. It also echoes the divine promise of dwelling securely in the land.
• the son of: (בֶּן, ben). Further clarifies the patrilineal chain.
• Seraiah: (שְׂרָיָה, Serayah). Meaning "Yahweh is a prince," or "Yahweh contends" (or "strives"). Another theophoric name. It can imply that God provides leadership, defends His people, or is the ultimate one who struggles on behalf of His covenant community. This name also appears frequently throughout the Old Testament.
• the son of: (בֶּן, ben). Maintains the genealogical precision.
• Asiel: (עֲשִׂיאֵל, 'Asi'el). Meaning "God is my maker," or "Made by God." This name attributes creation or origination directly to God (El), recognizing divine agency in one's very existence. This entire sequence of names emphasizes a deep and enduring relationship with God, woven into the fabric of the family's identity through generations.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel": This phrase constructs a specific four-generation lineage. It isn't just a list of names; it establishes a chain of legitimate descent and identifies a particular family line (starting from Asiel, leading to Joel and Jehu) within Simeon that gains prominence. The repetitive "son of" reinforces the Chronicler's meticulous approach to lineage, crucial for identity, inheritance, and religious standing in post-exilic Judah. The prevalence of theophoric names (Joel, Jehu, Josibiah, Seraiah, Asiel) subtly underlines the family's and by extension the tribe's devotion to Yahweh, indicating that their leadership and actions (detailed in the following verses) were undertaken in the context of faith in God. This lineage leads to those designated as "chief men" (v. 38), implying that their leadership was rooted in an established, God-honoring heritage.

1 Chronicles 4 35 Bonus section

The genealogies in Chronicles, though often overlooked as mere lists, serve as powerful theological statements. In 1 Chronicles 4:35, the prominence of theophoric names like "Joel" (Yahweh is God) and "Asiel" (God is my maker) demonstrates how faith was woven into the very identity of the Israelite people, passed down through generations. For a post-exilic audience, these names were not just historical markers but echoes of God's covenant faithfulness to His people, even through exile and return. They reminded the fragmented community that despite their recent past, their lineage connected them directly to ancestors who served Yahweh, ensuring a sense of continuity, belonging, and divine purpose for their future. This detail reinforces the Chronicler's aim to restore hope and spiritual identity to the returned exiles by reminding them of their sacred heritage and God's unchanging nature, even in seemingly mundane details like family trees and land migrations. The focus on "chief men" also highlights the importance of God-fearing leadership in the prosperity and expansion of God's people.

1 Chronicles 4 35 Commentary

Verse 35 is a seemingly straightforward line in a lengthy genealogy, yet its significance is profound within the Chronicler's narrative. It moves beyond simply listing ancestors by presenting a specific line of men—Joel, Jehu, Josibiah, Seraiah, and Asiel—whose names consistently reflect their family's confession of Yahweh as their God ("Joel," "Jehu," "Josibiah," "Seraiah," "Asiel"). This detail is not incidental; it grounds the historical actions of the Simeonites that immediately follow this verse (their expansion into Gedor and the conquest of Hamites and Meunim) in a foundation of faith. The careful recording of "son of" multiple times emphasizes legitimacy and divine order through generational continuity. For the post-exilic community, such lists affirmed their connection to a covenant people with a living God who worked through specific individuals and families to fulfill His purposes. It taught that God's hand was not just in grand acts of salvation, but also in the meticulous details of tribal identity, family succession, and even the search for sustenance. It reminded them that even seemingly ordinary acts of seeking "fat pastures and good" (v. 39) were part of God's overarching plan and led by men whose very names declared His sovereignty.