1 Chronicles 4:4 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

1 Chronicles 4:4 kjv

And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 4:4 nkjv

and Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah the father of Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 4:4 niv

Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and father of Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 4:4 esv

and Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 4:4 nlt

Penuel (the father of Gedor), and Ezer (the father of Hushah). These were the descendants of Hur (the firstborn of Ephrathah), the ancestor of Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 4 4 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
Lineage & Genealogy Importance
Gen 5:1	This is the book of the generations of Adam...	Genealogies affirm divine order & historical continuity.
Ex 6:14-25	These are the heads of their fathers’ houses...	Crucial for tribal identification, especially for priests.
Ezra 2:59-62	These were the ones who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers’ houses...	Lineage was vital for legitimate claims after exile.
Neh 7:61-64	These were the ones who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha...	Emphasizes the importance of verifiable lineage for Israelite identity.
1 Chr 1:1-2:2	Adam, Seth, Enosh... These are the sons of Israel...	Chronicler begins with universal history before focusing on Israel.
1 Chr 2:1-2	These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun...	Establishes the focus on specific tribal lines.
Mat 1:1-17	The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham...	Genealogy connects the Messiah to key ancestral lines.
Lk 3:23-38	Jesus... being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Heli...	Links Jesus to Adam and God, confirming His humanity and divinity.
Figure of Hur
Ex 17:10-12	So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek, and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill...	Hur as a prominent figure supporting Moses during battle.
Ex 24:14	And to the elders he said, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you..."	Hur as a trusted leader and co-regent with Aaron in Moses' absence.
Ex 31:1-5	The Lord has called by name Bezalel...the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah...	Identifies Hur's grandson Bezalel as divinely gifted for tabernacle work.
Ex 35:30-34	Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel...of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God..."	Reinforces Hur's line as recipients of divine skill and wisdom for God's work.
1 Chr 2:18-20	And Caleb the son of Hezron had children by Azubah, his wife, and by Jerioth...And Hezron’s son Caleb married Ephrathah...	Connects this Hur as a key descendant of Caleb, a major figure of Judah.
1 Chr 2:50	These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim...	Further elaborates on Hur's direct descendants, linking them to specific places.
Bethlehem & Ephrathah Significance
Gen 35:16-19	Then they journeyed from Bethel, and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel gave birth...So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)...	Establishes Bethlehem (Ephrathah) as a significant historical place, Rachel’s burial.
Ruth 1:2	The man’s name was Elimelech and his wife’s name was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah...	Shows Bethlehem as the origin of David's ancestral family (Naomi, Boaz, Ruth).
Mic 5:2	But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel...	Prophesies Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, directly linking "Ephrathah."
Lk 2:4-7	And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David...	Fulfills the prophecy, indicating Bethlehem's role in the Messiah's birth.
Jn 7:42	Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?	New Testament confirmation of Bethlehem's prophetic significance.
Judg 17:7	Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite...	Demonstrates a long-standing presence of various families in Bethlehem.
1 Sam 17:12	Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons.	Bethlehem as the ancestral home of King David.
2 Sam 23:14-15	David was then in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was then at Bethlehem. And David said longingly, "Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!"	David's enduring affection and connection to his hometown.

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

1 Chronicles 4 4 Meaning

This verse details a specific branch of the lineage of Judah, identifying two notable descendants of Hur: Penuel, who was the father of Gedor, and Ezer, who was the father of Hushah. It explicitly states that Hur was the firstborn of Ephrathah, further identifying Ephrathah as an ancestral figure connected to the town of Bethlehem. This segment contributes to the meticulously recorded genealogies within 1 Chronicles, affirming the continuity and heritage of Israel.

1 Chronicles 4 4 Context

First Chronicles chapter 4 continues the lengthy genealogies that commence the book, meticulously tracing the tribes and families of Israel. These lists served a crucial purpose for the post-exilic community in Judah. After their return from Babylon, establishing rightful identity, land claims, priestly lineage, and connections to the ancestral promises was paramount. This verse, located within the expansive list of Judah's descendants, reinforces the importance of the Calebite branch, particularly the family associated with Hur. By specifying Hur's connection to "Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem," the Chronicler subtly elevates this lineage, subtly preparing the audience for the future significance of Bethlehem as the birthplace of King David, and ultimately, the Messiah. This attention to detail emphasizes God's faithfulness to His promises through specific families and places throughout Israel's history.

1 Chronicles 4 4 Word analysis

And Penuel (וּפְנוּאֵל - uPhĕnūʾēl): "And the face of God." While "Penuel" recalls the significant place where Jacob wrestled with God (Gen 32:30), here it is a personal name, belonging to a descendant in Judah's lineage. This is distinct from the place and likely a different person from Penuel, son of Shashak (1 Chr 8:25).
was the father of Gedor (אֲבִי גְדֹר - ʾăḇī ḡəḏōr): "father of Gedor." This indicates a direct paternal relationship. Gedor means "wall" or "fortification." It is also the name of several towns (e.g., Josh 15:58), suggesting this family may have founded or been strongly associated with such a place.
and Ezer (וְעֵזֶר - wəʿĒzer): "And help." Another personal name, listed alongside Penuel as a descendant of Hur. Ezer signifies divine or human assistance, a common name throughout biblical history.
was the father of Hushah (אֲבִי חוּשָׁה - ʾăḇī Ḥûšāh): "father of Hushah." Hushah means "haste" or "speed." Like Penuel and Gedor, this is another link in the chain of descent, meticulously preserved.
These are the sons of Hur (אֵלֶּה בְּנֵי חוּר - ʾĒlleh bənê Ḥûr): This phrase explicitly defines Penuel and Ezer (and their lines) as being descended from Hur. Hur is a crucial figure. The Chronicler provides this summary to contextualize the preceding names under a prominent ancestor.
Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah (חוּר בְּכוֹר אֶפְרָתָה - Ḥûr bəḵôr ʾEprāṯāh): "Hur, firstborn of Ephrathah." This specification of "firstborn" highlights Hur's prominence in Ephrathah's line. This Hur is famously associated with Moses (Ex 17, 24) and is the grandfather of Bezalel, the master craftsman of the tabernacle (Ex 31). This linkage implicitly elevates the stature of this Judean branch.
the father of Bethlehem (אֲבִי בֵּית לֶחֶם - ʾăḇī Bêṯ Leḥem): "father of Bethlehem." This phrase clarifies the identity of Ephrathah not merely as a person but as an ancestral founder or the patriarch of the family group most associated with the town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem (בֵּית לֶחֶם - Bêṯ Leḥem) means "house of bread." This crucial location is mentioned numerous times in Scripture, gaining immense prophetic significance as the birthplace of David and the Messiah (Mic 5:2). The careful lineage establishes this historical tie.

1 Chronicles 4 4 Bonus section

The phrase "father of X" in biblical genealogies (like "father of Bethlehem") often denotes not just direct biological parentage but also a primary founder, leading figure, or chief family associated with a place. In this case, Ephrathah functions as an ancestral head whose descendants were significantly established in or founded Bethlehem. The Chronicler's intense focus on Judean genealogies, particularly the line leading to David and Bethlehem, implicitly supports the legitimacy of the Davidic covenant and the future hope it contained, vital for a post-exilic audience yearning for restoration and the re-establishment of the kingdom under a righteous ruler. These meticulous lists serve as an anchoring truth for the returnees, assuring them that despite their exile, God had not abandoned His people or His promises, keeping His covenant intact through the continuation of specific, verifiable lineages.

1 Chronicles 4 4 Commentary

This seemingly straightforward genealogical entry in 1 Chronicles 4:4 serves more than just an archival purpose; it weaves a vital thread in the fabric of Israel's history and God's unfolding plan. By meticulously listing descendants like Penuel and Ezer, the Chronicler emphasizes the continuity of Judah's tribes and their territorial claims, essential for the returned exiles. The key to understanding the deeper import lies in the identification of their ancestor, Hur. This is the prominent Hur who aided Moses (Ex 17) and whose grandson Bezalel was Spirit-filled for the Tabernacle's construction (Ex 31). Connecting Hur, "the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem," not only anchors this noble lineage to a divinely endowed past but also prophetically links them to Bethlehem. Bethlehem, "the house of bread," is renowned as King David's birthplace and, more significantly, as the prophesied town for the birth of the Messiah. Thus, what appears as a mere list of names actually forms part of the historical groundwork validating the lineage of promise and preparing for the coming of God's Anointed One, subtly underscoring divine providence at play through the specific preservation of chosen lines.