1 Chronicles 9 42

1 Chronicles 9:42 kjv

And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;

1 Chronicles 9:42 nkjv

And Ahaz begot Jarah; Jarah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza;

1 Chronicles 9:42 niv

Ahaz was the father of Jadah, Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza.

1 Chronicles 9:42 esv

And Ahaz fathered Jarah, and Jarah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. And Zimri fathered Moza.

1 Chronicles 9:42 nlt

Ahaz was the father of Jadah.
Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri.
Zimri was the father of Moza.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 42 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:42 lists a specific succession within the lineage of King Saul, tracing his descendants through Jonathan, stating: "And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza." This verse serves as a historical record, confirming the continuity of these family lines among the Israelite people. It demonstrates the diligent record-keeping of the Chronicler, providing a precise genealogical account that bridges past generations with the community rebuilding after the Babylonian exile.

1 Chronicles 9 42 Context

First Chronicles chapter 9 focuses on the residents of Jerusalem following the return from Babylonian captivity. It outlines the lineage and roles of those who resettled the city, including priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and other temple servants. This re-establishment of the community underscored the renewed identity and purpose of Israel. Verses 35-44 specifically shift to retrace the genealogy of King Saul, beginning from his forefather Jeiel of Gibeon, through his son Jonathan, and down through his descendants. This section effectively parallels an earlier, almost identical record found in 1 Chronicles 8:29-38. The inclusion of Saul's line in Chapter 9, immediately following the roster of returnees, serves several purposes: it reinforces the historical continuity of Israel, connecting the post-exilic community to their royal past (even that of the first, rejected king); it demonstrates the Chronicler's commitment to providing a comprehensive national history; and it sets the stage for the dramatic account of Saul's downfall and David's ascension in the subsequent chapter, reinforcing God's sovereign control over the kingdom's trajectory. Genealogies were vital for establishing tribal identities, claims to land, priestly qualifications, and rightful leadership roles in the restored community.

1 Chronicles 9 42 Word analysis

• And (Hebrew: וַיּוֹלֶד, waw): This common conjunction connects this genealogical entry to the previous one, signifying continuity and building upon the established lineage. It's standard for stringing together biblical genealogical lists.
• Ahaz (Hebrew: אָחַז, ’Achaz): A personal name appearing previously in this lineage (1 Chr 8:36). Its root meaning suggests "to grasp" or "to possess." Here, it identifies a specific individual in the uninterrupted chain of Saul's descendants.
• begat (Hebrew: וַיּוֹלֶד, vayyoled): From the root יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to give birth" or "to beget." The Hiphil imperfect form indicates direct male lineage. Its repeated use is characteristic of biblical genealogies, emphasizing physical and legal descent, affirming the successive generations. It underscores the precise, physical continuation of the family line.
• Jarah (Hebrew: יַעְרָה, Ya'rah): This name appears here and is listed as Jehoaddah (יְהוֹעַדָּה, Yeho‘addah) in the parallel genealogy of 1 Chr 8:36. Such variations (likely an abbreviated form, a scribal difference, or an alternate name) are common in biblical transmission but do not alter the overall genealogical intent. The name possibly relates to "honeycomb" or "forest/thicket," though the theological significance lies in its place in the lineage.
• Alemeth (Hebrew: עָלֶמֶת, ‘Alemet): A personal name meaning "concealment," "youthful," or "maiden" (though used for a male here). Its inclusion marks one of the sons of Jarah.
• Azmaveth (Hebrew: עַזְמָוֶת, ‘Azmaveth): A personal name meaning "strength of death" or "strong one of death." This name is used by several biblical figures, indicating it was not uncommon. Here, it identifies another son of Jarah.
• Zimri (Hebrew: זִמְרִי, Zimri): A personal name potentially meaning "my music" or "my song." Like Azmaveth, it identifies another of Jarah's sons. The name appears elsewhere in the Bible, but this individual is distinct as part of Saul's royal lineage.
• Moza (Hebrew: מוֹצָא, Môṣa’): A personal name meaning "source," "going forth," or "origin." It appears multiple times within the broader genealogy of Saul's line (1 Chr 8:36-37, 1 Chr 9:42-43), marking a crucial link in the chain.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;": This structured, repetitive pattern of "X begat Y" is the foundational syntax for biblical genealogies. It provides clear, linear progression, validating direct familial ties. The inclusion of multiple sons from Jarah (Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri) signifies a branching family and emphasizes the extensive nature of the lineage being recorded. It underscores the Chronicler's precision in tracking even the non-royal lines descended from Saul, prior to detailing his demise and the rise of David. The continuity of such detailed genealogies highlights the preservation of Israelite identity through generations, despite national setbacks like the exile.

1 Chronicles 9 42 Bonus section

• Purpose of Chronicler's Genealogies: Unlike the Book of Kings which primarily focuses on the succession of monarchs, Chronicles emphasizes the continuity of the people of God, regardless of the reigning king. The inclusion of seemingly "unimportant" names and collateral lines underscores this focus on the entirety of Israel's tribal and family identity. This served to ground the returning exiles in their rich, albeit sometimes flawed, history and provide legitimacy to their re-settlement of the land and restoration of temple worship.
• Textual Variants: The existence of "Jarah" here versus "Jehoaddah" in the parallel 1 Chronicles 8:36 provides a practical example of minor textual variations within the Bible. These often arise from different scribal traditions, abbreviations, or alternative spellings for names. The consistency of the surrounding genealogy confirms that the lineage remains intact, demonstrating the overall reliability of biblical transmission despite these slight differences, which are common across ancient texts.
• Significance of Rejected Royal Line: The Chronicler's dedication to detailing Saul's descendants, even though God had rejected his kingship in favor of David, speaks to a desire for a complete historical record. It's a comprehensive chronicle not just of the ideal but also of the actual course of Israel's history. This inclusion ensures that the full picture of God's interaction with Israel, through its successes and failures, is preserved for future generations.

1 Chronicles 9 42 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:42 is a granular entry in the Chronicler's exhaustive record of Israel's history and lineages, primarily compiled for the post-exilic community. It appears amidst a roll call of those who resettled Jerusalem and immediately precedes the final account of King Saul's downfall. By meticulously tracing Saul's descendants, including the seemingly unremarkable ones like Jarah, Alemeth, Azmaveth, Zimri, and Moza, the Chronicler conveys the message that the identity and historical thread of God's people remained intact despite severe national judgments. This isn't merely a dry list of names; it serves as a tangible link between the present Israelite community and its historical foundations, affirming their ancestral claim and divine heritage. It implicitly underscores the enduring sovereignty of God, who preserves a remnant and maintains order even within the genealogies of kings whose lines were cut off from perpetual rule. The meticulous detail provides a profound sense of continuity and a foundation upon which the re-established nation could confidently rebuild its life and worship.