1 Chronicles 4:28
They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual,
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
1 Chronicles 4:28
They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Notice how the ESV lists cities, but the original Hebrew actually includes the word "possessions" before them! This means the verse isn't just a list of places, but it highlights the abundance and thriving nature of these families who lived in their settled, prosperous lands.
This passage is part of a long genealogy tracing the descendants of Judah, a section that can feel like a dry list of names. However, these verses highlight the settled lives and specific places where certain families lived after the conquest of Canaan, detailing their territories and even their livelihoods, before the narrative shifts to the tribe of Simeon. So, while verse 28 lists some of their towns, the broader context is about establishing the inheritance and presence of these clans within the promised land.
This verse lists names and places that might seem like just background noise in the grand sweep of Scripture. But what if these details hold profound meaning for us today?
God Notices the Details
It's easy to skim over verses that seem like mere lists of names or places, especially in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles. We might think, 'What's the big deal about these locations or these individuals?' But the Bible isn't just a collection of heroic tales. It's a record of God's covenant faithfulness woven through the lives of ordinary people.
This verse places specific individuals and their ancestral homes within the narrative of Israel's history. They weren't just anonymous faces; they were people with families, livelihoods, and connections to the promised land. God's inclusion of these details underscores that no life is too small or seemingly insignificant to be recorded in His Word. He cares about where we live, who we are, and how we fit into His larger story.
These place names aren't random. They point to a deep connection to the land God promised to His people. What does this connection signify?
Belonging and Inheritance
The locations mentioned – Beersheba, Moladah, and Hazar-shual – are significant places in the history of Israel.
Their presence in these places signifies not just where they lived, but their established identity as inheritors of the land God had given them. Even as the broader narrative shifts and genealogies are detailed, these details anchor people to their divine inheritance and their place within the covenant community.
The mention of these southern towns in 1 Chronicles highlights the established, settled life of the tribe of Simeon (or Judah, depending on interpretation) within the borders of Judah, even as the larger biblical narrative progresses through periods of conquest, kingdom division, and exile.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Conquer Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites, after wandering in the wilderness, conquered the land of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. This marked the beginning of their settlement in the land promised to their ancestors.
c. 1350 BC
Tribal Allotments Begin
After the conquest, the land was systematically divided and allotted to the twelve tribes of Israel. This period saw the establishment of boundaries and the initial settlement patterns for each tribe.
c. 1050 BC
United Monarchy Established
The tribes, previously led by judges, united under King Saul, and later David, forming a single kingdom. This era brought greater political stability and consolidation of territory.
c. 975 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following King Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division led to prolonged conflict and differing political and religious trajectories.
This passage describes the inheritance of the tribe of Simeon, which included many of the same towns listed for the descendants of Judah in 1 Chronicles. It highlights the geographical area and the people who settled there.
Nehemiah 11:25-30This passage lists the descendants of Judah who lived in various cities after the return from exile. It echoes the settlement patterns and the specific locations mentioned, showing continuity in the land.
Genesis 21:31This verse records Abraham and Abimelech making a covenant at Beersheba, establishing the significance of this location as a place of oath and settlement early in Israel's history.
1 Samuel 8:2This verse mentions that the sons of Samuel were judges in Beersheba, showing it as a significant administrative and judicial center in later Israelite history, connecting it to the broader narrative of Israel's governance.
Notice how the ESV lists cities, but the original Hebrew actually includes the word "possessions" before them! This means the verse isn't just a list of places, but it highlights the abundance and thriving nature of these families who lived in their settled, prosperous lands.
This passage is part of a long genealogy tracing the descendants of Judah, a section that can feel like a dry list of names. However, these verses highlight the settled lives and specific places where certain families lived after the conquest of Canaan, detailing their territories and even their livelihoods, before the narrative shifts to the tribe of Simeon. So, while verse 28 lists some of their towns, the broader context is about establishing the inheritance and presence of these clans within the promised land.
This passage is part of a long genealogy tracing the descendants of Judah, a section that can feel like a dry list of names. However, these verses highlight the settled lives and specific places where certain families lived after the conquest of Canaan, detailing their territories and even their livelihoods, before the narrative shifts to the tribe of Simeon. So, while verse 28 lists some of their towns, the broader context is about establishing the inheritance and presence of these clans within the promised land.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 1 Chronicles 4:28 is available in the Sola app.
c. 950 BC— this verse
Settlement in Southern Judah
The places mentioned in this verse—Beersheba, Moladah, and Hazar-shual—are located in the southern part of Judah. This was a region of strategic importance, bordering the Negev desert and Philistia.
722 BC
Fall of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its people. This event significantly impacted the geopolitical landscape and the remaining Southern Kingdom of Judah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, and exiled a large portion of its population. This marked a profound crisis and a turning point for the Jewish people.
"They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual," — Notice how the ESV lists cities, but the original Hebrew actually includes the word "possessions" before them! This means the verse isn't just a list of places, but it highlights the abundance and th…