Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Chronicles 4:5
What does 1 Chronicles 4:5 mean?
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1 Chronicles 4:5
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This seemingly simple genealogy note highlights something unexpected: even in a lineage tracing Jesus's ancestry, the messy reality of plural marriage appears. It reminds us that God's redemptive story unfolds within the complexities and imperfections of human lives, not in a sanitized vacuum.
Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Chronicler is meticulously tracing the lineage of Judah, focusing on key figures and their descendants who played significant roles in Israel's history. This verse emerges within a detailed genealogical section, immediately following accounts of Judah’s sons and preceding lists of prominent families and individuals. It simply introduces a patriarch and his wives as part of this ongoing record of royal and priestly lines.
When we read genealogies, it's easy to skim over the names. But these weren't just lines on a page; they were real families, the bedrock of communities and the ancestors of our faith.
The Importance of Ancestry
Genealogies in the Bible, like the one here in 1 Chronicles, often feel like a list of names. But they serve a crucial purpose. They trace the lineage of God's people, highlighting continuity, faithfulness, and the unfolding of God's plan.
Every Name Tells a Story
Even seemingly minor details, like mentioning Ashhur and his wives Helah and Naarah, remind us that every family, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant in the grand narrative, has a place in God's unfolding story. They were the original founders, the ones who passed down traditions, values, and eventually, the covenant promises.
It might seem straightforward, but mentioning both wives carries weight. It shows the complexity of family structures and how women, though often less prominent in historical records, were vital to continuing the family line.
More Than Just a Mention
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, lineage was everything. The ability to have children, particularly sons, was a sign of God's blessing and crucial for inheritance and the continuation of the family name.
Women's Role in the Covenant
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By naming Helah and Naarah, the text acknowledges their part in this vital process. They weren't just passive participants; they were the mothers who bore the children that formed the future of this lineage. Their inclusion underscores that women were integral to the unfolding of God's purposes and the preservation of His people.
This verse also introduces Lamech, the first polygamist in the Bible, mirroring the theme of lineage and family expansion.
Genesis 29:15-30Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel, who were sisters, highlight the complex family dynamics and rivalries that polygamy could create within prominent lineages.
1 Chronicles 2:1-17This chapter details the lineage of Israel from Reuben to Judah, showing how these early genealogies were meticulously recorded to establish tribal and familial identity.
Ruth 4:18-22This passage concludes the genealogy leading to David, emphasizing how seemingly minor family lines and relationships ultimately played a crucial role in God's unfolding plan.
This seemingly simple genealogy note highlights something unexpected: even in a lineage tracing Jesus's ancestry, the messy reality of plural marriage appears. It reminds us that God's redemptive story unfolds within the complexities and imperfections of human lives, not in a sanitized vacuum.
The Chronicler is meticulously tracing the lineage of Judah, focusing on key figures and their descendants who played significant roles in Israel's history. This verse emerges within a detailed genealogical section, immediately following accounts of Judah’s sons and preceding lists of prominent families and individuals. It simply introduces a patriarch and his wives as part of this ongoing record of royal and priestly lines.
The Chronicler is meticulously tracing the lineage of Judah, focusing on key figures and their descendants who played significant roles in Israel's history. This verse emerges within a detailed genealogical section, immediately following accounts of Judah’s sons and preceding lists of prominent families and individuals. It simply introduces a patriarch and his wives as part of this ongoing record of royal and priestly lines.
"Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah;" — This seemingly simple genealogy note highlights something unexpected: even in a lineage tracing Jesus's ancestry, the messy reality of plural marriage appears. It reminds us that God's redemptive sto…
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Last reviewed October 2026