1 Chronicles 9 4

1 Chronicles 9:4 kjv

Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.

1 Chronicles 9:4 nkjv

Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah.

1 Chronicles 9:4 niv

Uthai son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah.

1 Chronicles 9:4 esv

Uthai the son of Ammihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani, from the sons of Perez the son of Judah.

1 Chronicles 9:4 nlt

One family that returned was that of Uthai son of Ammihud, son of Omri, son of Imri, son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 4 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:4 identifies Uthai, tracing his direct lineage back through five generations to Bani, and then states his broader family connection as belonging to the "children of Perez, the son of Judah." This verse functions as a part of a detailed registry of the early inhabitants of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, specifically listing families from the tribe of Judah who resettled in the holy city. It underscores the tribal identity and historical rootedness of the returning community.

1 Chronicles 9 4 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 9 continues the extensive genealogies presented in chapters 1-8. Specifically, chapter 9 serves as a "post-exilic register," detailing the specific families who first settled in Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian captivity. Verses 2-34 list the primary inhabitants: first Judahites (vv. 3-6), then Benjaminites (vv. 7-9), followed by priests (vv. 10-13) and Levites (vv. 14-34), and finally temple servants and gatekeepers.

This chapter is crucial for the Chronicler's overall purpose: to re-establish the identity and legitimacy of the returning Israelite community. After the upheaval of the exile, proper tribal affiliation was vital for inheritance, land ownership, participation in worship, and continuity of covenant promises. The precise listing, as seen in 1 Chronicles 9:4, serves to affirm the rightful claim of these Judahite families to their heritage and their role in the reconstituted community centered on Jerusalem and the Temple. Historically, this period signifies the re-formation of a unified Israelite (specifically, Judean) society under Persian rule, maintaining its unique identity rooted in its ancestral covenants and traditions.

1 Chronicles 9 4 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunction, connecting this specific lineage to the broader list of inhabitants being introduced in 1 Chronicles 9:3. It signals the continuation of the list of Judahite families.
• Uthai (עוּתַי - 'Uthay): A personal name, likely meaning "my salvation" or "the Lord is helper." Its appearance here marks him as a specific individual among the Judahites who took part in the initial resettlement of Jerusalem after the exile. While the name appears elsewhere (Ezra 8:14), this Uthai is distinct given the precise lineage provided.
• the son of (בֶּן - ben): Standard Hebrew construct indicating direct paternal lineage.
• Ammihud (עַמִּיהוּד - 'Ammihud): A personal name meaning "my people are glory" or "people of praise/majesty." He is the direct father of Uthai in this genealogy. This name is also found elsewhere (Num 1:16, 1 Chron 7:26, 9:3, Neh 11:9), but here specifically denotes a particular ancestor within Uthai's family line.
• Omri (עָמְרִי - 'Omri): A personal name meaning "my sheaf" or "servant/pupil." It's important to note this is not King Omri of Israel; names often recur across different lineages and periods. This individual is Ammihud's father.
• Imri (אִמְרִי - 'Imriy): A personal name meaning "eloquent" or "my speaking." He is the father of Omri in this specific lineage.
• Bani (בָּנִי - Bani): A personal name meaning "my builder." He is the father of Imri and the earliest ancestor specifically named in this direct paternal chain before specifying the broader clan.
• of the children of (מִבְּנֵי - mib'nei): Literally "from the sons of." This phrase indicates a broader family, clan, or tribal affiliation. It moves beyond direct paternal line to indicate the specific division within Judah from which Uthai descends.
• Perez (פֶרֶץ - Peretz): A pivotal name meaning "a breach" or "breakthrough" (referencing his birth in Gen 38:29). Perez was a son of Judah by Tamar. His line is incredibly significant as it is the lineage from which King David descended (Ruth 4:18-22). Mentioning him here emphasizes the prestigious Davidic connection for these returned Judahites.
• the son of Judah (בֶּן יְהוּדָה - ben Yehudah): Explicitly clarifies that Perez belongs to the tribe of Judah, reinforcing the tribal identity and grounding this family firmly within the most prominent tribe, which carried the messianic promise.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani": This sequence establishes the direct, immediate paternal lineage of Uthai for several generations. Such detailed patrilines were crucial in ancient Israel for establishing identity, social standing, and rightful inheritance or service. For the Chronicler, it authenticates Uthai as a true descendant belonging to the community.
• "of the children of Perez the son of Judah": This phrase contextualizes Uthai's immediate lineage within the larger tribal structure. By identifying Uthai's clan as "the children of Perez," the verse implicitly connects him to the significant heritage of Perez, from whom David himself descended. This emphasizes the continuous, legitimate presence of the Judahite line (which would eventually lead to the Messiah) among those resettling Jerusalem. It roots the new community firmly in the historical covenant and promises tied to Judah.

1 Chronicles 9 4 Bonus section

The Chronicler's intense focus on genealogies, especially for Judah, Benjamin, and Levi, underscores a particular theological viewpoint: despite the exile, God had maintained a faithful remnant and their legitimate heritage. The detail in this verse, tracing a common citizen like Uthai through multiple generations back to the tribal patriarch, emphasizes the individual's vital connection to the larger community's identity and its divine covenant. This isn't merely historical record-keeping; it's a testament to divine preservation of the lineage. For the post-exilic community, such lists offered tangible proof of their continuity with pre-exilic Israel, affirming their right to the land and the Temple worship. This focus contrasts with an approach that might have simply mentioned "descendants of Judah," instead highlighting that specific families contributed to the resettlement.

1 Chronicles 9 4 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:4 is not just a dry enumeration of names; it serves a profound theological and historical purpose. It documents the careful and meticulous process by which the post-exilic community in Jerusalem re-established its identity. The inclusion of Uthai, a Judahite, and his lineage through Perez, underlines the Chronicler's primary emphasis on the tribe of Judah as the inheritors of the Davidic covenant and the rightful caretakers of Jerusalem. The specificity of the names (Uthai, Ammihud, Omri, Imri, Bani) highlights the importance placed on individual families returning to rebuild. Furthermore, by linking Uthai's lineage to Perez, the Chronicler implicitly reinforces the continuity of the messianic line, grounding the present restoration in God's faithfulness to His past promises, even in a time of vulnerability and apparent brokenness. This careful recording suggests a divine ordering and blessing upon those who faithfully returned to inhabit the holy city.