1 Chronicles 2:42-47 Meaning Explained

1 Chronicles 2:42-47

The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mareshah his firstborn, who fathered Ziph. The son of Mareshah: Hebron. The sons of Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema. Shema fathered Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem fathered Shammai. The son of Shammai: Maon; and Maon fathered Beth-zur. Ephah also, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez; and Haran fathered Gazez. The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What can seem like a dry genealogy actually highlights a lineage of faith and faithfulness, tracing not just names but the very individuals who carried God's promises forward. This focus on a single line, like Mareshah and his son Hebron, reminds us how God often works through seemingly small, consistent steps to build His great redemptive story.

What 1 Chronicles 2:42-47 means

This passage is part of a long genealogy tracing the descendants of Israel. It specifically focuses on the lineage of Caleb, a key figure who explored the land of Canaan, and then branches into a detailed account of his family line, highlighting the ancestral founders of various towns and clans. The verses immediately before and after this one continue to list the offspring and significant locations associated with Caleb's family, underscoring their place within the broader history of Israel's settlement.

Understand the original words

Original language

firstbornבְּכוֹר

bekor · Hebrew Noun

A status indicating priority in birth order, carrying the rights of inheritance, leadership, and a double portion of the father’s estate. In a broader biblical context, it often refers to the position of preeminence or the one chosen by God (e.g., Christ as the firstborn of all creation).

sonsבֵּן

ben · Hebrew Noun

A reference to male descendants or a collective group forming a tribe or clan. It implies kinship, shared identity, and participation in the covenant promises given to the patriarchs.

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Breakdown of 1 Chronicles 2:42-47

"The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mareshah his firstborn, who fathered Ziph. The son of Mareshah: Hebron. The sons of Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema. Shema fathered Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem fathered Shamma…" — What can seem like a dry genealogy actually highlights a lineage of faith and faithfulness, tracing not just names but the very individuals who carried God's promises forward. This focus on a single…

What 1 Chronicles 2:42-47 means

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What 1 Chronicles 2:42-47 means

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