1 Chronicles 4:27
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It's easy to overlook that even amidst this grand recounting of Israel's lineage, the text pauses to highlight Shimei's extraordinary fruitfulness, noting his sixteen sons and six daughters. This specific detail, emphasizing his prolific family against his brothers and entire clan, points to a divine blessing and abundance that sets him apart, even within a larger narrative.
Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, nor did all their clan multiply like the men of Judah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy in 1 Chronicles that traces the descendants of Israel, particularly focusing on the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah. It's a record of who begat whom, and at this point, it's highlighting the extraordinary fruitfulness of one man, Shimei, and his family compared to his relatives. This detailed listing of names and numbers, though it might seem dry, emphasizes God's faithfulness in multiplying His people and setting the stage for the future kings and leaders who would come from this lineage.
Have you ever noticed how some families or groups seem to 'boom' while others stay smaller? This verse gives us a glimpse into a specific, divinely-ordained multiplication.
This verse highlights a remarkable blessing upon the tribe of Judah, specifically through the lineage of Shimei. While his brothers and their broader clan had children, it's stated they 'did not have many children, nor did all their clan multiply like the men of Judah.' This isn't just a demographic observation; it points to God's active role in fulfilling His promises of a great nation. Judah was the royal line, the one from whom the Messiah would come, and their prolific growth was part of God's sovereign plan for salvation history.
Why would the Bible bother listing family numbers and comparing clan sizes? It's about more than just genealogy; it's about God's faithfulness to His covenant.
The emphasis on Judah's multiplication isn't random. This was the tribe chosen to carry the lineage of David and, ultimately, Jesus. God promised Abraham, 'nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your lineage' (Genesis 17:6). The incredible growth of Judah was a tangible sign of God keeping that promise. Even in the seemingly mundane details of census-like records, we see God weaving the grand narrative of redemption. His 'multiplying' is always purposeful, geared towards His redemptive plan for humanity.
Understand the original words
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mishpachah · Hebrew Noun
A group of people descended from a common ancestor, often functioning as a basic social and military unit in Israelite society, sharing obligations and inheritance.
rabah · Hebrew Verb
The act of increasing in number, often used in Scripture to describe God's blessing and the fulfillment of the covenant promise to make Abraham's descendants numerous.
Yehudah · Hebrew Noun
The tribe of Judah, the royal tribe from which the Davidic line and the Messiah (Jesus) descended; characterized in the Bible as a powerful and prominent tribe.
This verse highlights the remarkable recovery and population growth of the tribe of Judah after the Babylonian exile, contrasting it with other clans. It underscores the post-exilic focus on re-establishing a distinct and thriving people in their ancestral land.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and United Monarchy
The tribes of Israel are united under King David, with Judah emerging as a prominent and populous tribe.
c. 931 BC
The Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united monarchy splits into two kingdoms: Israel (ten northern tribes) and Judah (southern tribes, including Benjamin).
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants and scattering the ten northern tribes.
c. 605-586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire conquers Judah in stages, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the exile of much of the population.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Return from Exile
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, allows the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple.
Post-Exilic Period
Rebuilding and Reorganization
The returning exiles work to re-establish their communities, and the genealogies in Chronicles are compiled to affirm their identity and heritage.
This passage speaks of God's blessing and provision, offering a divine perspective on the blessings of the heavens and the earth that can lead to fruitfulness, echoing the desire for increase seen in 1 Chronicles.
Deuteronomy 7:13This verse promises God's blessing of abundant offspring and livestock if His commands are obeyed, highlighting a spiritual principle behind multiplication that the clan of Judah seems to exemplify.
Joshua 1:14This speaks of warriors going before their people into the promised land, suggesting that the strength and success of the men of Judah could be linked to their faithfulness and courage in occupying their inheritance.
Psalm 127:1This psalm powerfully states that unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain, pointing to the ultimate source of blessing and growth for any family or clan.
It's easy to overlook that even amidst this grand recounting of Israel's lineage, the text pauses to highlight Shimei's extraordinary fruitfulness, noting his sixteen sons and six daughters. This specific detail, emphasizing his prolific family against his brothers and entire clan, points to a divine blessing and abundance that sets him apart, even within a larger narrative.
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy in 1 Chronicles that traces the descendants of Israel, particularly focusing on the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah. It's a record of who begat whom, and at this point, it's highlighting the extraordinary fruitfulness of one man, Shimei, and his family compared to his relatives. This detailed listing of names and numbers, though it might seem dry, emphasizes God's faithfulness in multiplying His people and setting the stage for the future kings and leaders who would come from this lineage.
This passage is part of a lengthy genealogy in 1 Chronicles that traces the descendants of Israel, particularly focusing on the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah. It's a record of who begat whom, and at this point, it's highlighting the extraordinary fruitfulness of one man, Shimei, and his family compared to his relatives. This detailed listing of names and numbers, though it might seem dry, emphasizes God's faithfulness in multiplying His people and setting the stage for the future kings and leaders who would come from this lineage.
"Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, nor did all their clan multiply like the men of Judah." — It's easy to overlook that even amidst this grand recounting of Israel's lineage, the text pauses to highlight Shimei's extraordinary fruitfulness, noting his sixteen sons and six daughters. This spe…
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Last reviewed October 2026
