1 Chronicles 5:3 kjv
The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
1 Chronicles 5:3 nkjv
the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
1 Chronicles 5:3 niv
the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel: Hanok, Pallu, Hezron and Karmi.
1 Chronicles 5:3 esv
the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
1 Chronicles 5:3 nlt
The sons of Reuben, the oldest son of Israel, were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
1 Chronicles 5 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 29:32 | And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben... | Birth of Reuben. |
| Gen 35:23 | The sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn... | Listing Reuben as firstborn. |
| Gen 46:8-9 | These are the names of the sons of Israel... Reuben, Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi. | Parallel list of Reuben's sons entering Egypt. |
| Exod 6:14 | These are the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi... | Similar genealogy establishing tribal heads. |
| Num 26:5-6 | Reuben, the firstborn of Israel... Hanoch, of Hanoch; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. | Census account detailing Reuben's descendants. |
| Gen 49:3-4 | Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength... unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence. | Jacob's prophecy concerning Reuben's diminished status. |
| 1 Chron 2:1 | These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun... | Listing Israel's twelve sons at beginning of genealogies. |
| 1 Chron 4:1-43 | Genealogies of Judah | Emphasizes Judah's prominence later. |
| 1 Chron 5:1-2 | The sons of Reuben... his birthright was given to Joseph’s sons... Judah prevailed... | Context explaining loss of Reuben's firstborn rights. |
| Neh 7:5 | I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up first... | Importance of genealogical records for returnees. |
| Ezra 2:62 | These searched for their genealogical record, but it was not found... | Genealogies required for temple service validation. |
| Matt 1:1-17 | The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ... | New Testament emphasis on Messiah's lineage. |
| Luke 3:23-38 | Jesus... being the son of Joseph, the son of Heli... the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. | Luke's genealogy for Jesus's universal lineage. |
| Deut 33:6 | May Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few. | Moses' blessing over the tribe of Reuben. |
| Judg 5:15-16 | Among the clans of Reuben great searchings of heart! | Reflects on Reuben's delayed action during battle. |
| Num 32:1-5 | The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had a great multitude of livestock... asked for the land east of the Jordan. | Location of Reuben's tribal territory. |
| Josh 1:12-18 | To the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh... | Their commitment to cross Jordan for war. |
| Ezek 48:7 | From the west side to the east side, Reuben, one portion. | Reuben's land division in Ezekiel's vision. |
| 1 Cor 15:45 | The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. | Contrasts the "first man" with "last Adam." |
| Heb 12:23 | And to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven... | Spiritual understanding of "firstborn" in Christ. |
1 Chronicles 5 verses
1 Chronicles 5 3 Meaning
1 Chronicles 5:3 identifies the direct male descendants of Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob (who was renamed Israel), naming his four sons: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. This verse is a precise record establishing a foundational tribal lineage within ancient Israel. It serves to maintain the historical and tribal identity, ensuring the continuity and accurate understanding of the nation's family tree.
1 Chronicles 5 3 Context
1 Chronicles 5 begins with the genealogy of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob. Although Reuben held the status of "firstborn," verses 1 and 2 of this chapter explicitly state that his birthright was transferred, initially to the sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh), and the preeminence (or "chief ruler" status, related to the kingship and the Messiah) was given to Judah. Verse 3 directly follows this important prefatory note, simply listing Reuben's four foundational sons. This careful structuring highlights the Chronicler's dual purpose: to meticulously record the tribal lineages crucial for post-exilic Israel's identity, land claims, and temple service, while also acknowledging significant shifts in birthright and prominence according to divine sovereign purpose. The overall scope of Chronicles is to reinforce God's covenant with Israel, particularly through the Davidic line, and to consolidate the national identity after the Babylonian exile, making accurate genealogies indispensable.
1 Chronicles 5 3 Word analysis
- the sons of (Hebrew: bĕnê בְּנֵי, a construct form of bēn בֵּן): Literally "sons of". In ancient Israelite society, lineage was patrilineal, and these records predominantly traced male lines, vital for inheritance, tribal identity, and societal structure.
- Reuben (Hebrew: Rĕ'ûbên רְאוּבֵן): Meaning "Behold, a son!" or "See, a son!". He was Jacob's firstborn by Leah (Gen 29:32). His status as firstborn conferred specific privileges, including a double portion of inheritance and family leadership, though these were later forfeited in his case.
- the firstborn of Israel (Hebrew: bĕḵôr Yiśrā'ēl בְּכוֹר יִשְׂרָאֵל): This emphasizes Reuben's primary position by birth. "Firstborn" (bĕḵôr) was a significant title carrying honor, authority, and specific inheritance rights, usually indicating a natural claim to prominence. "Israel" is the name God gave to Jacob (Gen 32:28), signifying the patriarch of the entire nation, emphasizing the divine covenant and identity.
- Hanoch (Hebrew: Ḥănôḵ חֲנוֹךְ): Meaning "dedicated" or "initiated." This is one of Reuben's four sons.
- Pallu (Hebrew: Pallû' פַּלּוּא): Possibly meaning "distinguished" or "separate." Another of Reuben's sons.
- Hezron (Hebrew: Ḥeṣrôn חֶצְרוֹן): Meaning "surrounded by a wall" or "enclosed." Another of Reuben's sons, distinct from the Hezron of Judah (Gen 46:12).
- and Carmi (Hebrew: wĕḵarmî וְכַרְמִי): Meaning "my vineyard" or "gardener." The fourth son of Reuben mentioned.
- the sons of Reuben... Israel: This phrase identifies the head of the family, Reuben, and places him within the larger covenantal family of Israel. The emphasis on "Israel" links the individual tribal lines to the broader nation and its divine heritage.
- Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: This specific listing confirms and solidifies the known descendants from earlier Pentateuchal records (e.g., Gen 46:9; Exod 6:14; Num 26:5-6), reinforcing the accuracy and continuity of Israel's foundational lineages for the post-exilic community.
1 Chronicles 5 3 Bonus section
The repetitive nature of such genealogical lists across different books (Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Chronicles) serves as textual evidence of their enduring importance and the consistent historical record kept by Israel. For the Chronicler’s audience, recently returned from exile and seeking to re-establish their identity and worship in Jerusalem, these names affirmed their connection to the twelve tribes and God’s original covenant promises, fostering unity and hope. While Reuben lost his personal birthright due to his sin, his tribe continued to be recognized as one of the twelve tribes of Israel, retaining its allotted land (though on the other side of the Jordan) and its place in the national structure, demonstrating that individual sin impacts specific privileges but does not always erase one from God's wider plan for His people.
1 Chronicles 5 3 Commentary
1 Chronicles 5:3, though seemingly a simple list of names, is pivotal within the Chronicler's narrative. Following the explanation of Reuben's loss of firstborn privileges in 1 Chron 5:1-2, this verse succinctly provides the actual list of his direct male offspring. The Chronicler’s meticulous attention to such details underscores the critical importance of genealogical records for post-exilic Israel. These lists served not merely as historical archives but as practical guides for establishing tribal land rights, confirming identities for priestly and Levitical service, and reaffirming the continuity of God's covenant people. By maintaining an accurate record of Reuben's line, despite his loss of preeminence, the Chronicler respects divine providence and the original tribal order while simultaneously affirming Judah's ultimate Messianic prominence, as alluded to in the preceding verses. The consistent mention of these four sons throughout earlier biblical texts validates the historical integrity of Israel's family records, offering reassurance and grounding to the returned exiles.