I Chronicles 2:42-49 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 2:42-49 Commentary: Caleb’s Line
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Does this genealogy list individuals or clans? Commentators see place-names and the founder of Bethlehem’s ancestry. A study in reading biblical genealogies.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Records the descendants of Caleb son of Hezron, with many “fathers” being founders of Judean towns.
- Key words: “father” (H0001, ʾāv, often meaning chief or founder); “concubine” (H6370, pīleḡeš, a secondary wife).
- Main debate: Are the names individuals or tribal eponyms? And does this Caleb equal Caleb son of Jephunneh?
- Theological theme: God’s faithfulness to preserve every family line and to connect His people to the land of promise.
- Best use: A reminder that ordinary lives and obscure places are recorded in heaven; no believer is forgotten.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
42The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and Mareshah his second son, who was the father of Hebron.
43The sons of Hebron:
44Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema. Shema was the father of Raham the father of Jorkeam, and Rekem was the father of Shammai.
45The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth-zur.
46Caleb’s concubine Ephah was the mother of Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.
47The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.
48Caleb’s concubine Maacah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah.
49She was also the mother of Shaaph father of Madmannah, and of Sheva father of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Acsah.
WEB World English Bible 2000
42The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
43The sons of Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema.
44Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem became the father of Shammai.
45The son of Shammai was Maon; and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.
46Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez; and Haran became the father of Gazez.
47The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jothan, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.
48Maacah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.
49She bore also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
KJV King James Version 1769
42Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were, Mesha his firstborn, which was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
43And the sons of Hebron; Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
44And Shema begat Raham, the father of Jorkoam: and Rekem begat Shammai.
45And the son of Shammai was Maon: and Maon was the father of Beth–zur.
46And Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez: and Haran begat Gazez.
47And the sons of Jahdai; Regem, and Jotham, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph.
48Maachah, Caleb’s concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah.
49She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
42And the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his first-born, who was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
43And the sons of Hebron: Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
44And Shema begat Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem begat Shammai.
45And the son of Shammai was Maon; and Maon was the father of Beth-zur.
46And Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez; and Haran begat Gazez.
47And the sons of Jahdai: Regem, and Jothan, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph.
48Maacah, Caleb’s concubine, bare Sheber and Tirhanah.
49She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena, and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
42And sons of Caleb brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha his first-born, he is father of Ziph; and sons of Mareshah: Abi-Hebron.
43And sons of Hebron: Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
44And Shema begat Raham father of Jorkoam, and Rekem begat Shammai.
45And a son of Shammai is Maon, and Maon is father of Beth-Zur.
46And Ephah concubine of Caleb bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez; and Haran begat Gazez.
47And sons of Jahdai: Regem, and Jotham, and Geshem, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph.
48The concubine of Caleb, Maachah, bare Sheber and Tirhanah;
49and she beareth Shaaph father of Madmannah, Sheva father of Machbenah, and father of Gibea; and a daughter of Caleb is Achsa.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
42And the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
43And the sons of Hebron: Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
44And Shema begot Raham, the father of Jorkeam. And Rekem begot Shammai;
45and the son of Shammai was Maon; and Maon was the father of Beth-zur.
46And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, and Moza, and Gazez; and Haran begot Gazez.
47And the sons of Jehdai: Regem, and Jotham, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph.
48Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah;
49and she bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena and the father of Gibea. And the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
42Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerameel were Mesa his firstborn, who was the father of Siph: and the sons of Maresa father of Hebron.
43And the sons of Hebron, Core, and Thaphua, and Recem, and Samma.
44And Samma begot Raham, the father of Jercaam, and Recem begot Sammai.
45The son of Sammai, Maon: and Maon the father of Bethsur.
46And Epha the concubine of Caleb bore Haran, and Mosa, and Gezez. And Haran begot Gezez.
47And the sons of Jahaddai, Rogom, and Joathan, and Gesan, and Phalet, and Epha, and Saaph.
48And Maacha the concubine of Caleb bore Saber, and Tharana.
49And Saaph the father of Madmena begot Sue the father of Machbena, and the father of Gabaa. And the daughter of Caleb was Achsa.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 2:42
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that 1 Chronicles 2:42-49 traces the descendants of Caleb son of Hezron (not the spy Caleb son of Jephunneh, though the relationship remains debated). The repeated phrase “father of” signals not just biological paternity but leadership. Barnes, the Cambridge Bible, and Gill note that names like Ziph (Joshua 15:24), Hebron, Maon (1 Samuel 23:24-25), and Beth-zur (Joshua 15:58) are unmistakable towns in southern Judah. The “father” is the founder or prince of that location. This passage thus preserves the settlement history of Calebite clans. Matthew Henry sees God’s care for ordinary families behind the list. Wesley adds that “Madmannah” and similar names are places. The concubines Ephah and Maacah show polygamy in the period; their children are fully included in the genealogy. The daughter Achsah recalls the Caleb of Judges 1:12-15, strengthening the possible identification of the two Calebs, though most keep them distinct.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal biological genealogy: All names are individual persons; Ziph, Hebron, etc. are Caleb's actual sons.
- Clan/place-names view: The names correspond to known Judean towns; “father of” means founder or ruler (Joshua 15, 1 Samuel 23, 25).
- Eponymous ancestor view: The persons listed gave their names to the towns, functioning as eponyms; the genealogy blends person and place.
What is clear: The passage traces the Calebite branch of Judah’s tribe, linking post-exilic families to ancestral land and showing God’s care for every lineage.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of Caleb | This Caleb is a descendant of Hezron and ancestor of Hur (1 Chronicles 2:18-20). | Some (e.g., Cambridge Bible) entertain identifying him with Caleb son of Jephunneh the spy; others (Clarke, most conservatives) keep them distinct, noting different fathers and time periods. |
| Interpretation of 'father of' names like Ziph, Hebron | The phrase often indicates the founder or prince of a town, not just biological paternity. | A few commentators (e.g., Matthew Henry) take all as biological sons, while most (Barnes, Gill, Cambridge) see a mix of persons and place-names. |
| Status of concubines' children | Children of concubines are fully listed in the genealogy. | No significant debate: both traditions agree that the Chronicler includes them, reflecting their inheritance rights in Israelite society. |
| Relevance for post-exilic community | The genealogy assured returning exiles of their historic claim to Judah’s territory. | Catholic and Protestant interpreters both affirm this, though they differ on the land’s ongoing theological significance (dispensationalism vs. covenant continuity). |
Historical & Cultural Context
First Chronicles 2 places the tribe of Judah at the head of Israel’s genealogies, reflecting Judah’s prominence after the exile (the book was compiled post-538 BC). Verses 42-49 belong to a Calebite appendix (vv. 18-55) that interrupts the Jerahmeelite line (vv. 25-41). The historical Caleb son of Hezron (v. 18) lived during the Egyptian sojourn and wilderness period, while the better-known Caleb son of Jephunneh appears in Numbers and Joshua. The Chronicler may have merged traditions or distinguished two men; either way, the passage anchors post-exilic Judahites to pre-monarchic roots.
The geography is key. Ziph (Joshua 15:24), Mareshah (2 Chronicles 11:8), Hebron (the patriarchal city), Tappuah (Joshua 15:34), Maon (1 Samuel 25), and Beth-zur (Joshua 15:58) all lie in the southern hill country of Judah. Concubines Ephah and Maacah (vv. 46, 48) indicate that Caleb’s household included secondary wives, a practice attested elsewhere in the period (e.g., Abraham, Jacob). The phrase “his firstborn” (v. 42) uses the Hebrew bᵊḵōr, marking birthright status. The verb yālaḏ (“bore/begot”) appears in both Qal (active) and Hiphil (causative) forms, but the meaning of genealogical descent remains constant.
The list’s value for the Chronicler’s audience was not merely archival. It demonstrated that the ancestral land of Judah was settled by faithful families under God’s promise, reassuring a returned community that their territory had divine sanction. The mention of Achsah (v. 49), who married Othniel (Judges 1:13), connects this Calebite line to the early judges, reinforcing continuity from conquest to monarchy.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note no significant textual variants for 1 Chronicles 2:42-49. The BSB reading “Mareshah his second son” (v. 42) is an interpretive addition not present in the Hebrew; the Masoretic Text reads simply “and the sons of Mareshah.” The name “Jorkeam” (KJV, YLT) vs. “Jorkoam” reflects minor spelling differences. None affect the passage’s meaning.
Reception History
Early Jewish tradition (Targum, Talmud) saw these genealogies as proof of tribal allotments and the legitimacy of priestly and royal lines. Christian interpreters from Jerome through the Reformation read them typologically: Calvin noted that God’s covenant runs through obscure families, not just the famous. Matthew Henry (18th cent.) used the passage to encourage “little ones in the church”, each name matters to God. Modern scholars focus on the place-name phenomenon: the list is a geographical register disguised as a family tree. Across traditions, the passage has been sung in hymns of refuge (e.g., “A Mighty Fortress” alludes to Beth-zur’s imagery) and cited in discussions of land theology. The daughter Achsah appears in art and literature as a figure of bold faith (Joshua 15:18-19).
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God remembers the obscure. This genealogy lists names we cannot pronounce, yet each is written in Scripture. No family line is invisible to God.
- Land is part of the promise. Many names are towns. The Chronicler shows that God’s gift to Abraham included real estate, every hill and village matters.
- Inclusion through unlikely means. Concubines’ children are named equally. God’s family tree does not discriminate by social status or birth circumstances.
Five-point outline
- Who is this Caleb? Not the famous spy, but a son of Hezron. Distinguish the two: both faithful, both from Judah, but different generations.
- “Father of” means more than dad. The word ʾāv can mean founder, chief, or patron. This genealogy records clan origins, not just biological lines.
- The geography of faith. Ziph, Maon, Beth-zur, places where David hid, where battles were fought. God’s people inhabit specific ground.
- Concubines and their sons. Ephah and Maacah are named. Their children are not hidden. God’s record values those society might marginalize.
- A daughter remembered. Achsah (v. 49) closes the section. In a patriarchal list, a woman’s name stands as a blessing, she received springs of water (Joshua 15:18-19).
Illustration hooks
- Family reunions. Have you ever studied a photo album of relatives you never met? At first it seems dull, but each face carries a story. This genealogy is God’s family album, every name has a history and a place.
- Street names at home. Imagine your hometown map with names like Washington, Lincoln, Franklin. People become place-names. That is what happens here: a person becomes a town, and a town remembers a person.
- Inheritance documents. If you ever read a will, you see lists of property and heirs. Chronicles is God’s title deed to the land, showing which families received which territory.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Why should I care about a list of names I can’t pronounce?”
- “Does this mean the land of Israel still belongs to these families today?”
- “How do I know if my own family matters to God?”
Leading a Discussion
These verses seem dry, but they reveal how God weaves ordinary families into His story. Each name represents real people who lived, worked, and trusted God in a specific place. As you read the passage, notice both the men and the women, the concubines and the daughter. Ask: What does it mean that God records families so carefully?
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Chronicles 2:42-49 aloud. What names or phrases stand out to you? Why?
- The word “father” appears repeatedly. How does the meaning of “father” shift when the “son” is a town (Ziph, Hebron, Beth-zur)? What does that tell you about these lists?
- Two women are called concubines (Ephah, Maacah), yet their children are listed fully. How does God’s recording of their names challenge the social norms of that time?
- Achsah is the only daughter named (v. 49). What do you remember about Achsah from Joshua 15 or Judges 1? Why might the Chronicler include her here?
- Commentators disagree whether this Caleb is the same as the spy from Numbers. Does that difference matter for understanding the passage? Why or why not?
- What does this genealogy teach us about God’s care for people who are not famous? How does that affect how you see your own family history?
- How can a list of ancient place-names (Ziph, Maon, Beth-zur) encourage believers today who may feel disconnected from their heritage?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 49:3 | “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. |
| Exodus 4:22 | You shall tell Pharaoh, ‘Yahweh says, Israel is my son, my firstborn, |
| Exodus 4:23 | and I have said to you, “Let my son go, that he may serve me;” and you have refused to let him go. Behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’” |
| Joshua 15:24 | Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, |
| I Samuel 23:19 | Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert? |
| I Samuel 26:1 | The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?” |
| I Chronicles 2:18 | Caleb the son of Hezron became the father of children by Azubah his wife, and by Jerioth; and these were her sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. |
| I Chronicles 2:19 | Azubah died, and Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke clarifies that this Caleb is not the famous son of Jephunneh but the Caleb descended from Hezron. He dismisses as probably fanciful the idea that this Caleb was Jephunneh's grandson, and explains that "father of Ziph" means ruler of the Ziphites.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes observes that several names in this genealogical list are actually place names where clan chiefs settled, not personal names. Ziph, Jorkoam, Beth-zur, and others like Madmannah and Gibea are unmistakably locations, making it unlikely they were ever borne by individuals.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary notes that several names in Caleb's genealogy, such as Ziph, Mareshah, and Hebron, are actually towns in southern Judah, likely representing local populations rather than individual descendants. It also observes that Maon was a town, not a person's name, and connects Mesha to the Moabite king.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill interprets this genealogy by identifying many of the named individuals as rulers or founders who gave their names to cities in Judah. He notes that phrases like "father of" often mean "prince of" that place, not literal fatherhood.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB draws attention to the specific family context of these sons: they came from Caleb's marriage to a third wife. The commentator notes this detail to clarify which household branch is being recorded, distinguishing them from sons of Caleb's other wives.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch insist that Mareshah and Hebron in this genealogy are personal names, not cities. They argue that the wording and the fact that the sons listed are clearly individuals make a geographical reading impossible. Bertheau's attempt to treat these as towns is rejected on grammatical and historical grounds.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that the Chronicler's genealogy of Judah is not systematically ordered but rather a patchwork of fragmentary ancient records. He cautions against over-harmonizing duplicate names like
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies Madmannah and the names that follow as locations within the territory of Judah, not as personal names or symbolic terms. His point is a straightforward geographical clarification.