1 Chronicles 4 42

1 Chronicles 4:42 kjv

And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.

1 Chronicles 4:42 nkjv

Now some of them, five hundred men of the sons of Simeon, went to Mount Seir, having as their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.

1 Chronicles 4:42 niv

And five hundred of these Simeonites, led by Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, invaded the hill country of Seir.

1 Chronicles 4:42 esv

And some of them, five hundred men of the Simeonites, went to Mount Seir, having as their leaders Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.

1 Chronicles 4:42 nlt

Five hundred of these invaders from the tribe of Simeon went to Mount Seir, led by Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel ? all sons of Ishi.

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 42 Meaning

This verse details a specific military expedition by a portion of the tribe of Simeon. Five hundred men from this tribe, under the leadership of four named captains (Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, all sons of Ishi), embarked on a journey to Mount Seir. This expedition, occurring in the days of King Hezekiah (as noted in the preceding verse), was undertaken to secure more territory and grazing land, which ultimately involved conquering the Amalekites dwelling there.

1 Chronicles 4 42 Context

This verse is embedded within the lengthy genealogies that open the book of 1 Chronicles. Chapters 1-9 meticulously detail the lineages of the twelve tribes of Israel, with a particular focus on the tribes of Judah, Levi, and Benjamin, due to their prominence in the post-exilic community for whom the book was written. Chapter 4 specifically traces the descendants of Judah and then shifts to Simeon, a tribe often linked closely with Judah. The verses immediately preceding 1 Chronicles 4:42 (vv. 39-41) describe the Simeonites' search for wider pastures as their numbers grew, leading them to various regions and culminating in a significant campaign. Verse 41 specifies that this particular event occurred "in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah," providing a specific historical timeframe. This context highlights the chronicler's interest in the tribal movements, settlements, and their divinely guided expansion, even for a tribe like Simeon, which had a relatively smaller inheritance. The narrative demonstrates God's continuing involvement in the life and welfare of His people.

1 Chronicles 4 42 Word analysis

• And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon:

  • And some of them (וְהֵ֙מָּה֙ מֵהֶ֔ם - vehemmāh mehem): Signifies a specific group or contingent, not the entire tribe. It points to a targeted, organized movement.
  • of the sons of Simeon (מִבְּנֵ֤י שִׁמְעוֹן֙ - mibbĕnê Shimʿôn): Directly identifies the tribal affiliation. Simeon, despite its initial prophesied scattering (Gen 49:7) and being absorbed into Judah's territory (Josh 19:1-9), still retained its tribal identity and capacity for organized action, as demonstrated by this expedition.

• five hundred men:

  • (חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת אִ֑ישׁ - ḥămeš mê’ōṯ ’îš): A precise, considerable number indicating a significant, albeit limited, military force. This exactness is characteristic of the Chronicler's genealogical and historical records, emphasizing accuracy and detail. Such a number would be effective for a localized punitive or expansionist campaign.

• went to Mount Seir:

  • went (הָֽלְכוּ֙ - hālkû): Implies an active, purposeful movement, a deliberate expedition rather than a random migration.
  • to Mount Seir (לְהַ֣ר שֵׂעִ֔יר - ləhar śe‘îr): Specifies the destination. Mount Seir is historically the territory of Edom, the descendants of Esau (Gen 36:8). This implies a conflict with the inhabitants of this region, who were often rivals or enemies of Israel, specifically the Amalekites as confirmed in the following verse. This signifies a push beyond typical Israelite boundaries.

• having for their captains:

  • having for their captains (שָׂרֵיהֶ֖ם - śāryām, meaning 'their princes' or 'their chiefs'): Denotes formal military or tribal leadership. These were recognized figures of authority, not merely volunteers, underscoring the organized nature of the expedition. The term "sarei" indicates a position of responsibility and command.

• Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi:

  • Pelatiah (פְלַטְיָ֣ה - Pelaṭyāh): Meaning "Yah has delivered" or "My deliverance is Yah."
  • Neariah (וּנְעַרְיָה֙ - ûnəʿaryāh): Meaning "Servant of Yah" or "Youth of Yah."
  • Rephaiah (וּרְפָיָ֔ה - ûrəfāyāh): Meaning "Yah has healed" or "Yah has sustained."
  • Uzziel (וְעֻזִּיאֵ֖ל - wəʿuzzi’ēl): Meaning "My strength is El (God)."
  • the sons of Ishi (בְּנֵי אִישִֽׁי׃ - bənê ’îšî): Identifies their paternal lineage. "Ishi" means "my salvation" or "my help." The consistent mention of "sons of Ishi" establishes their immediate family identity and potentially their shared status or a specific clan within Simeon. The naming of specific leaders emphasizes the factual, historical record, as well as the Chronicler's concern for individual accountability and recognition. The Yahweh-ending names (-iah) common in Hebrew reflect a dependence on and reverence for God within their lives and roles, implicitly linking their success to divine favor.

1 Chronicles 4 42 Bonus section

This account of the Simeonites going to Mount Seir is immediately preceded by the phrase "these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah" (1 Chron 4:41). This temporal marker is crucial as it places this military expedition not in the immediate aftermath of the conquest of Canaan but much later, during the monarchy. It suggests that Simeonites, long integrated into Judah's territory, periodically expanded their search for resources or renewed old campaigns, particularly against long-standing enemies like the Amalekites. The successful campaign, confirmed by 1 Chron 4:43 stating "they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped," further demonstrates God's ongoing judgment against Amalek and His favor upon His people in their efforts to secure their well-being, even through military means, decades or centuries after the initial commands concerning Amalek (e.g., Exod 17:16, 1 Sam 15:3). This small episode shows active tribal life and the Lord's hand at work well into Israel's history.

1 Chronicles 4 42 Commentary

This concise account within the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 4:42 serves several purposes. It highlights the continued vitality and military capability of the tribe of Simeon, a tribe that, while granted land within Judah's lot, frequently sought expansion. The expedition of 500 men to Mount Seir demonstrates an initiative to secure new pastures and living space, ultimately resulting in the defeat of the Amalekites (as seen in the subsequent verse, 1 Chron 4:43). The inclusion of this specific historical event, occurring during King Hezekiah's reign (1 Chron 4:41), adds factual depth to the tribal narratives and validates the Simeonites' identity and contribution even in later periods of Israelite history. It underscores God's providential care in guiding His people's settlement and securing their boundaries, fulfilling past decrees regarding Amalek, an enduring enemy of Israel. The meticulous detailing of the captains' names also reinforces the historical accuracy and careful record-keeping characteristic of the Chronicler, emphasizing individual roles in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant people.