1 Chronicles 4 5

1 Chronicles 4:5 kjv

And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

1 Chronicles 4:5 nkjv

And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

1 Chronicles 4:5 niv

Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

1 Chronicles 4:5 esv

Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah;

1 Chronicles 4:5 nlt

Ashhur (the father of Tekoa) had two wives, named Helah and Naarah.

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 5 Meaning

First Chronicles 4:5 states that Ashhur, the father or founder of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah. This verse is part of the comprehensive genealogical records found in the book of 1 Chronicles, specifically detailing the lineage and families within the tribe of Judah. It presents a factual family structure, noting Ashhur's connection to a significant town and the marital status involving two women.

1 Chronicles 4 5 Context

This verse appears within 1 Chronicles chapter 4, which is largely dedicated to the genealogies of the tribe of Judah, the royal tribe from which David came and from which the Messiah would descend. The broader context of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9) is an extensive re-establishment of Israel's identity through their ancestry after the Babylonian exile. By meticulously listing family lines, the chronicler reinforced the continuity of God's covenant with Israel, particularly highlighting the Davidic lineage and the priestly line. Within this detailed list, 1 Chronicles 4:5 specifically names Ashhur, identifying him as connected to the city of Tekoa and outlining his family structure with his two wives, Helah and Naarah, and their subsequent offspring. This detail anchors the individuals within a geographical and familial framework crucial for the returning exiles to understand their heritage and land rights. Historically, Tekoa was a town south of Jerusalem in the rugged hill country of Judah, known later as the hometown of the prophet Amos and significant during the period of Nehemiah's wall rebuilding efforts. Polygyny, while not the Mosaic ideal, was practiced in ancient Israelite society and its mention here is a straightforward genealogical fact, not necessarily a polemic, but highlights the common marital customs of the time within a patriarchal society.

1 Chronicles 4 5 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunction, connecting this genealogical statement to the preceding ones, indicating continuation within the listing of descendants of Judah. It signals a flow of information, adding more details to the lineage.
• Ashhur (אַשְׁחוּר, Ashchur): This proper name means "black" or "blackness." As a person's name, it identifies an individual within the extensive Judahite lineage. He is a progenitor, foundational to the family groups that follow. The significance lies in being an ancestor in the continuing tribal record.
• the father of (אֲבִי, ʾavi): This phrase indicates paternity, but in a broader genealogical or eponymous sense, it can also mean "founder of," "ancestor of," or "leader of" a settlement or group. Here, it likely implies Ashhur was either the direct progenitor from whom the inhabitants of Tekoa descended or a prominent figure in its establishment and leadership.
• Tekoa (תְּקוֹעַ, Tqoa'): This is a specific geographical location, a city in the tribe of Judah. Its name may relate to "pitching tents" or "driving pegs," suggesting a settlement or founding. By connecting Ashhur to Tekoa, the Chronicler anchors this individual and his family line to a tangible place in Judah, which would be significant for the returning exiles' claims and identity. Tekoa became known later as the hometown of the prophet Amos and as a place with historical importance (e.g., during the reign of Jehoshaphat, 2 Chr 20:20, and Nehemiah's time, Neh 3:5).
• had (לוֹ, lo): A possessive pronoun (to him/for him), indicating that he possessed or had dominion over what follows – in this case, his wives. It describes his familial status.
• two wives (שְׁתֵּי נָשִׁים, shtey nashim): This clearly states that Ashhur was polygamous, having two marital partners. While the Mosaic Law provided regulations for polygamous households (e.g., Deut 21:15-17), it did not initiate or encourage polygamy; rather, it often dealt with the complexities arising from it. The presence of two wives is stated as a simple fact, a common feature of patriarchal society. This is noted factually as part of his household structure.
• Helah (חֶלְאָה, Chelaʾh) and Naarah (נַעֲרָה, Naʿarah): These are the proper names of his wives. Chelaʾh possibly means "rust" or "sickness," while Naʿarah means "young girl" or "maiden." The inclusion of their names signifies their role as mothers of his offspring (detailed in subsequent verses) and their integral place within this segment of the tribal record, tracing different lines of descendants through each wife.

1 Chronicles 4 5 Bonus section

The meticulous detail of these genealogies in 1 Chronicles serves a significant theological and practical purpose for the post-exilic community. Firstly, they confirmed land claims and tribal inheritances, crucial for the physical re-establishment in the land. Secondly, they reinforced identity and heritage, reminding a scattered people of their continuous covenant relationship with God, dating back to Abraham and David. Thirdly, they provided the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come, thereby nurturing hope. Even in seemingly minor details like "Ashhur...had two wives," the Chronicler is conveying completeness in tracing the threads of God's providential care over His people's history, despite human imperfections or deviations from divine ideals. The structure of families, whether monogamous or polygamous, was part of the divinely superintended history that would lead to Christ.

1 Chronicles 4 5 Commentary

First Chronicles 4:5, though seemingly a brief factual statement, carries several layers of significance within the Chronicler's narrative. It places Ashhur, likely a key ancestral figure, within the meticulously recorded genealogy of Judah. The phrase "father of Tekoa" is crucial; it marks Ashhur not just as a biological father but as an eponym—a founding father or chief whose descendants became synonymous with the locality. This illustrates the intertwining of family lineage with geographical dominion and identity, essential for the post-exilic community who needed to reclaim their ancestral lands. The explicit mention of "two wives, Helah and Naarah," acknowledges polygyny as a social reality in ancient Israelite society, though not the creation ideal. While the Old Testament never actively promotes polygamy, it describes its occurrence and, in various instances (e.g., Gen 16, 29-30; 1 Sam 1), highlights the personal and familial strife it often produced. For the Chronicler, the inclusion of these wives is not for moral commentary, but to accurately trace all branches of Ashhur's descendants, thereby maintaining the completeness of the genealogical record and validating tribal connections. This meticulous recording of lineage provided continuity, legitimacy, and hope to the returning exiles, grounding them in their heritage and demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving His chosen people. The listing ensures every significant branch, even those arising from a non-monogamous union, is accounted for in the broader tapestry of God's people.