1 Chronicles 9:6 kjv
And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.
1 Chronicles 9:6 nkjv
Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren?six hundred and ninety.
1 Chronicles 9:6 niv
Of the Zerahites: Jeuel. The people from Judah numbered 690.
1 Chronicles 9:6 esv
Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel and their kinsmen, 690.
1 Chronicles 9:6 nlt
From the Zerahite clan, Jeuel returned with his relatives. In all, 690 families from the tribe of Judah returned.
1 Chronicles 9 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 9:1 | So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel... | Purpose of genealogies for all Israel. |
| 1 Chr 9:2 | The first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants. | First to return and dwell in Jerusalem. |
| 1 Chr 9:3 | And in Jerusalem lived some of the people of Judah... | Focus on the inhabitants of Jerusalem. |
| 1 Chr 9:4 | Of the sons of Judah: Uthai the son of Ammihud... | Lists other Judahite families residing in Jerusalem. |
| Neh 11:4 | And in Jerusalem lived some of the people of Judah and some of the people of Benjamin. Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah... | Parallel account of Jerusalem's inhabitants post-exile. |
| Neh 11:6 | And all the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468 valiant men. | Lists descendants of Perez, another son of Judah. |
| Ezr 2:3 | The sons of Parosh, 2,172. | Similar detailed list of returned exiles by family. |
| Ezr 2:64 | The whole assembly together was 42,360... | Total number of the first wave of returnees from exile. |
| Neh 7:6 | These are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiled whom Nebuchadnezzar... had carried away to Babylon and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah... | General account of returnees and their tribal identities. |
| Gen 38:30 | ...then his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread on his hand; and his name was Zerah. | Establishes the origin of the Zerah line, son of Judah. |
| Num 26:20 | The sons of Judah according to their clans: of Er, the clan of the Er… Of Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites. | Enumerates the clan of Zerah within Judah during a different census. |
| Rom 11:5 | So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. | Concept of a faithful remnant preserved by God. |
| Isa 10:20 | In that day the remnant of Israel... will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. | Prophecy of a remnant returning and trusting in God. |
| Isa 11:11 | In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains... | Prophecy of gathering a remnant from across the lands. |
| Jer 29:10 | For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you and bring you back to this place. | Prophecy of the return from Babylonian exile, fulfilled by these returns. |
| Dan 9:2 | ...I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. | Highlights the prophetic fulfillment of the exile's end. |
| Ezek 36:24 | I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. | Prophecy of the scattered people being brought back to their land. |
| Zech 1:16 | Therefore thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion... my cities shall again overflow with prosperity... | God's compassionate return to Jerusalem and restoration. |
| Ezra 1:5 | Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem. | Willingness of the exiles to return and rebuild. |
| Hag 2:6-7 | For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens... And I will shake all nations... And I will fill this house with glory... | Prophetic context of the post-exilic temple building and future glory. |
| John 4:22 | You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. | Underscores the continued significance of Judah's lineage for salvation history. |
| Matt 1:2 | Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers... | Traces the messianic lineage through Judah. |
1 Chronicles 9 verses
1 Chronicles 9 6 Meaning
This verse enumerates a specific group among the returned exiles who resettled in Jerusalem, identifying them as descendants of Zerah, a son of Judah. It names Jeuel as a prominent figure among them, alongside 690 of their kinsmen, thereby specifying their tribal lineage and numerical contribution to the repopulation of the holy city. It signifies the ongoing continuity of tribal identity and the meticulous re-establishment of the Israelite community post-exile, underscoring their presence in the covenant city.
1 Chronicles 9 6 Context
First Chronicles chapter 9 continues the extensive genealogical records that characterize the initial nine chapters of the book. While the earlier chapters (1-8) trace tribal lineages from creation up to the time of David or just before the exile, chapter 9 specifically shifts focus to the post-exilic community. It begins by reiterating that all Israel was enrolled in genealogies found in the "Book of the Kings of Israel," setting the stage for establishing the legitimate inhabitants of Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian captivity.
This chapter acts as a census of the "first inhabitants" who resettled in Jerusalem, identifying them by tribe, family, and roles (priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple servants). It aims to provide a structured record of those who re-established the communal and religious life centered around the newly rebuilt temple and city. Verse 6, within this specific context, highlights a particular subgroup from the tribe of Judah (specifically the Zerahites) who contributed to the repopulation. The Chronicler's primary purpose is to emphasize continuity, legitimate identity, and the ordered restoration of God's covenant people in their land and city after the severe disruption of the exile. This detail reinforces the belief that despite divine judgment, God remained faithful to His promises, preserving a remnant to re-inhabit and rebuild Jerusalem as His holy dwelling place.
1 Chronicles 9 6 Word analysis
- and of the sons of Zerah:
- "and":
וְ(we), a conjunction "and," connecting this entry to the preceding listings of Judahites (specifically of Perez in verse 4) who inhabited Jerusalem. - "of the sons of":
בְּנֵי(bnei) fromבֵּן(ben) meaning "son," but here refers more broadly to descendants, lineage, or a clan/family originating from. It denotes a tribal subdivision. - "Zerah":
זֶרַח(Zerach). A prominent son of Judah (Gen 38:30). His lineage represents one of the major branches of the tribe of Judah. Highlighting this lineage maintains the link to ancestral promises and tribal identity, especially the Davidic covenant which came through Judah. This group has specific identity traceable to Jacob.
- "and":
- Jeuel:
יְעוּאֵל(Ye'uel). A personal name, likely meaning "carried away by God" or "treasure of God." The mention of a specific individual, Jeuel, suggests he was a significant head of a family or a representative leading this group within the Zerah clan. This demonstrates the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping and highlights prominent figures in the re-establishment of the community.
- and their kinsmen:
- "and their kinsmen":
וַאֲחֵיהֶם(wa'acheyhem), meaning "and their brothers" or "and their brethren." This indicates not just Jeuel's direct descendants but a wider group of family members, relatives, or fellow clan members who returned and settled in Jerusalem alongside him. It shows a collective return and settlement of family units, not isolated individuals. This reinforces the idea of community reconstruction.
- "and their kinsmen":
- 690:
שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת וְתִשְׁעִים(shesh me'ot we-tish'im). A precise numerical count (six hundred and ninety). The inclusion of specific numbers, even for what might seem like a smaller subgroup, underscores the accuracy and importance of these genealogical and census records. It reflects the meticulous organization and census-taking for the restored community, perhaps for purposes of land allocation, service, or civic duties. This numerical specificity points to divine oversight and the tangible reality of God's faithful remnant returning.
1 Chronicles 9 6 Bonus section
The Chronicler's inclusion of such detailed genealogical lists, especially for the post-exilic period, can be seen as an act of both remembrance and reassurance for the returning community.
- Re-establishing Identity: After decades in exile, the precise identification of individuals by tribe and family (like the Zerahites of Judah) was crucial for rediscovering and re-establishing Israel's unique covenant identity before God. It connected the present generation back to the patriarchs and God's promises.
- Continuity of Purpose: The re-settlement of Jerusalem was not arbitrary but an act of fulfilling God's long-standing purposes for His chosen city and people. These lists serve to show who were actively participating in this divine restoration project.
- Future Hope: By carefully preserving the lineage of Judah, the Chronicler subtly reinforces the hope for the coming Davidic king and the future restoration of the full kingdom, centered on Jerusalem. Every name and number in these lists pointed to God's enduring plan and the faithfulness He maintained despite Israel's shortcomings.
1 Chronicles 9 6 Commentary
1 Chronicles 9:6 is more than a mere numerical entry; it is a vital detail within the Chronicler's narrative of post-exilic restoration. By listing the descendants of Zerah from the tribe of Judah, with Jeuel as a prominent figure, it solidifies the legitimate presence of this clan among those chosen by divine providence to repopulate Jerusalem. The Chronicler's focus on precise genealogies and numbers underscores the orderly re-establishment of the covenant community after the upheaval of the Babylonian exile. It serves several purposes: affirming the continuity of tribal identity, legitimizing claims to heritage and position, and demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant. The very existence of this group in Jerusalem attested to God fulfilling His prophetic word to return His people. It provided a concrete basis for communal organization, identity, and the fulfillment of God's enduring promises, especially concerning the Davidic line from Judah, which was central to Israel's hope for the future Messiah. This attention to detail implies divine order even amidst societal rebuilding.