I Chronicles 4:1-8 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 4:1-8 Commentary: Repeated Genealogy
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does 1 Chronicles 4 repeat Judah's genealogy? Explore variations, compressed generations as 'sons of Judah', and the passage's role in post-exilic identity.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The passage repeats and varies Judah's genealogy from chapter 2, compressing multiple generations under 'sons of Judah' to connect post-exilic readers to their land and heritage.
- Key words: benei (sons/descendants), avi (father/founder), mishpachot (clans).
- Main debate: Whether the variations reflect different source documents or intentional theological emphasis; also identification of names like Carmi and Koz.
- Theological theme: God's faithfulness to the line of Judah, with an eye toward Bethlehem and the Davidic covenant.
- Best use: Teaching that God knows and values every person and family, and that His promises unfold through ordinary generations.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1The descendants of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.
2Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.
3These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash. And their sister was named Hazzelelponi.
4Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the descendants of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah and the father of Bethlehem.
5Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6Naarah bore to him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the descendants of Naarah.
7The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, Ethnan,
8and Koz, who was the father of Anub and Zobebah and of the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.
WEB World English Bible 2000
1The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.
2Reaiah the son of Shobal became the father of Jahath; and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.
3These were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash. The name of their sister was Hazzelelponi.
4Penuel was the father of Gedor and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.
5Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.
7The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan.
8Hakkoz became the father of Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
KJV King James Version 1769
1The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
2And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.
3And these were of the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi:
4And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Beth–lehem.
5And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6And Naarah bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.
7And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan.
8And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
2And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.
3And these were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi;
4and Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the first-born of Ephrathah, the father of Beth-lehem.
5And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6And Naarah bare him Ahuzzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.
7And the sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan.
8And Hakkoz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1Sons of Judah: Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
2And Reaiah son of Shobal begat Jahath, and Jahath begat Ahumai and Lahad; these are families of the Zorathite.
3And these are of the father of Etam: Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister is Hazzelelponi,
4and Penuel is father of Gedor, and Ezer father of Hushah. These are sons of Hur, first-born of Ephratah, father of Beth-Lehem.
5And to Ashhur father of Tekoa were two wives, Helah and Naarah;
6and Naarah beareth to him Ahuzzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari: these are sons of Naarah.
7And sons of Helah: Zereth, and Zohar, and Ethnan.
8And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel son of Harum.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1The sons of Judah: Pherez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
2And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath; and Jahath begot Ahumai and Lahad. These are the families of the Zoreathites.
3And these [were of] the father of Etam: Jizreel, and Jishma, and Jidbash; and the name of their sister was Hazlelponi;
4and Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah: these were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, [and] father of Bethlehem.
5— And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
6And Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Ahashtari: these were the sons of Naarah.
7And the sons of Helah: Zereth, and Zohar, and Ethnan.
8And Koz begot Anub, and Hazzobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1The sons of Juda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi and Hur, and Sobal.
2And Raia the son of Sobal begot Jahath, of whom were born Ahumai, and Laad. These are the families of Sarathi.
3And this is the posterity of Etam: Jezrahel, and Jesema, And Jedebos: and the name of their sister was Asalelphuni.
4And Phanuel the father of Gedor, and Ezar the father of Hosa, these are the sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephratha the father of Bethlehem.
5And Assur the father of Thecua had two wives, Halaa and Naara:
6And Naara bore him Ozam, and Hepher, and Themani, and Ahasthari: these are the sons of Naara.
7And the sons of Halaa, Sereth, Isaar, and Ethnan.
8And Cos begot Anob, and Soboba, and the kindred of Aharehel the son of Arum.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 4:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that only Perez is a literal son of Judah; the other names span several generations. As Jamieson-Fausset-Brown note, 'with the exception of Pharez, none of those here mentioned were his immediate sons.' Keil and Delitzsch call verse 1 'a superscription to the genealogical fragments which follow.' The repeated names, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, match chapter 2, but with variations that suggest different source documents. Clarke proposes 'different copies in the public registers.' The Hebrew term benei (sons of) is used broadly for descendants or tribal subdivisions, while avi (father of) can mean chief or founder of a clan (Barnes). This compression serves the chronicler's purpose: to connect the returning exiles to the patriarchal inheritance, particularly through the line of Perez. Matthew Henry observes that the tribe of Judah returned from captivity, explaining the detailed register.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal genealogy with compression: Only Perez is a literal son; the list combines multiple generations into one heading, as Wesley and Keil & Delitzsch argue.
- Clan/tribal representation: ‘Sons of Judah’ means tribal subdivisions; the names represent clans rather than individuals (Barnes, Cambridge).
- Variant source tradition: The differences from chapter 2 suggest the chronicler used multiple, independent registers, as Clarke and Matthew Henry propose.
What is clear: The passage traces the descendants of Judah through Perez, with an emphasis on land connections, showing God's faithfulness to the tribe from which David (and ultimately Jesus) came.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'sons of Judah' | Only Perez is a literal son; the others are descendants spanning multiple generations. | Some read the list as literal sons (perhaps including grandchildren), while others understand it as a compressed clan representation (Wesley, Keil & Delitzsch). |
| Why this repeats chapter 2 | The chronicler had access to multiple genealogical registers (Clarke). | Whether the variation is due to different source documents, oral traditions, or the chronicler's theological editing (e.g., emphasizing certain lines). |
| Identity of Carmi and Coz | These names appear elsewhere in Chronicles in different contexts. | Gill equates Carmi with Chelubai (Caleb), while other commentators see him as a distinct figure. Coz/Hakkoz may be the same person or variants (Cambridge). |
| Inclusion of towns and place names | The places are real Judahite settlements, many fortified by Rehoboam. | Whether 'father of Etam' and similar phrases mean literal paternity or leadership of a clan (Barnes reads it as 'chief of Etam'). |
Historical & Cultural Context
First Chronicles was compiled after the Babylonian exile, likely in the fifth century BC, for a community rebuilding its identity in the land. Genealogies like this one functioned as title deeds: they reestablished tribal boundaries and land claims that had been disrupted by exile. The places named, Zorah, Etam, Bethlehem, Tekoa, were real towns in Judah's hill country, many fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:6). Listing these settlements assured returning families that their ancestral homes still belonged to them.
Verse 4 ties Ephrathah (Bethlehem) to Hur, who is identified as the firstborn of Ephrathah (Caleb's wife, per 1 Chronicles 2:19). Bethlehem's mention is no accident; it was David's city and later the messianic promise (Micah 5:2). Even in this dry list, the chronicler keeps the Davidic line in view.
Verse 5 records Ashhur's two wives, Helah and Naarah. Polygamy, though not God's original design, was practiced by some patriarchs and leaders in Israel's early history. The chronicler includes it without judgment, simply recording the facts as preserved in the registers. The naming of Naarah's children (v.6) and Helah's children (v.7) shows a balanced attention to both wives' lineages.
The rare inclusion of a sister's name (Hazzelelponi, v.3) and the unusual name itself suggest that the chronicler worked from specific local records. Some names appear nowhere else in Scripture, indicating that not all genealogical data has come down to us; the chronicler faithfully preserved what he had, even when it was obscure.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note several textual variants. The LXX reads 'sons of Etam' instead of 'father of Etam' in verse 3 (Cambridge). Verse 7 shows variation: the Kethibh has 'Izhar', while the Keri and some manuscripts read 'Zohar' or 'Jezoar' (Keil & Delitzsch). In verse 8, the name appears as 'Coz' (KJV, YLT), 'Koz' (BSB), or 'Hakkoz' (WEB); this may reflect different spelling traditions. These variants do not change the passage's overall meaning or purpose.
Reception History
Early church fathers such as Jerome valued the genealogies for their historical witness, tracing the line of Christ through Judah (Matthew 1). Reformation-era commentators like Luther found them 'hard but holy,' noting that they testify to God's concrete care for families. Matthew Henry saw the repetition of Judah's genealogy as evidence of God's special love for that tribe, from which the Redeemer came. In more recent times, these verses are often passed over quickly, but they remind readers that God's Word preserves even obscure records, a sign that every person and every family matters to Him.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God's faithfulness across generations. The list includes obscure names, Ahumai, Lahad, Idbash, men and women otherwise forgotten. Yet God knew each one and ensured they appear in His Word. Your family line, however humble, matters to Him.
- Land as promise fulfilled. Towns like Bethlehem, Tekoa, and Zorah are not just geography; they are evidence that God gave the land to Abraham's descendants. The chronicler anchors post-exilic hope in concrete places.
- Obscurity is not insignificance. The passage ends by introducing Jabez (v.9-10), who became more honorable than his brothers. Many named here remain unknown, but their existence prepared the way for notable figures. God uses the unseen to shape history.
Five-point outline
- Repeating a genealogy: why? The chronicler draws on multiple registers (Clarke). The repetition is not an error but an enrichment, showing that God preserves His people's story from angles.
- 'Sons of Judah' as descendants. The Hebrew benei includes grandchildren and clan members. This reminds us that we belong to a family of faith that spans generations.
- The importance of Bethlehem. Verse 4 highlights Hur as father of Bethlehem. The messianic thread runs through these names, connecting the tribe to David and ultimately to Christ.
- Women in the record. Hazzelelponi, Helah, Naarah, and Ephrathah are named. Their inclusion testifies that God values every person, male and female, in the unfolding of His plan.
- Faithfulness in the mundane. Genealogies can feel tedious, but they teach us to honor the daily, concrete ways God works, through births, marriages, settlements, and ordinary lives.
Illustration hooks
- A family Bible with handwritten names, going back five generations. Most names you don't recognize, but you know they passed down faith.
- Restoring a cemetery: cleaning weathered headstones, finding names that died out, remembering that each stone marks a life God knew.
- A town's 150th anniversary book, listing every mayor and prominent citizen. The unfamiliar names were once household words; their legacies outlast them.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why should I care about a list of names I cannot pronounce?
- Does God really care about my family's history and everyday details?
- How can reading genealogies help me trust God's faithfulness today?
Leading a Discussion
This passage may seem like a dry list of names, but it carries deep significance for a community rebuilding after exile. As you work through the questions, consider how God preserves and values every generation, including ours.
Discussion questions
- Look at the names in verses 1-8. Which ones appear elsewhere in Scripture? Why do you think the chronicler repeats some from chapter 2 with variations?
- The phrase 'sons of Judah' is used for multiple generations. What does this teach us about how biblical writers understood family and inheritance?
- Verse 4 connects Hur to Bethlehem. Why is that detail significant, especially for readers familiar with David and Jesus?
- Why does the chronicler include the names of two wives (v.5) and a sister (v.3)? What might this say about the value of all people in God's eyes?
- How does this genealogy support the hope of returning exiles? What land promises are reflected in the places mentioned?
- If someone asked you, 'Why does the Bible waste space on names I cannot know?', how would you answer based on this passage?
- How can meditating on a genealogy, rather than skimming it, shape your trust in God's long-term faithfulness?
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 38:29 | As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” Therefore his name was called Perez. |
| Genesis 46:12 | The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. |
| Numbers 26:20 | The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. |
| Numbers 26:21 | The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. |
| Ruth 4:18 | Now this is the history of the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron, |
| I Chronicles 2:3 | The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah, which three were born to him of Shua’s daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yahweh’s sight; and he killed him. |
| I Chronicles 2:5 | The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. |
| I Chronicles 2:9 | The sons also of Hezron, who were born to him: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai. |
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
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that this second genealogy of Judah differs from the first one given earlier, suggesting the writer used alternate copies from public records. He also notes textual details: Coz should follow Ethnan, and Jabez needs a proper antecedent in the genealogy itself.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes suggests the verse should be read as referring to the father or chief of Etam, a city in Judah near Bethlehem. He points to a parallel passage in Chronicles to support this alternative reading of the genealogical line.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary focuses on clarifying the genealogical details and textual variants in the passage. It notes that some names, like Carmi and Hakkoz, likely refer to different individuals than those elsewhere in Chronicles, and that the Greek Septuagint sometimes gives a clearer reading, such as identifying the "sons of Etam" as families named after a place.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill traces how these lesser-known names connect to earlier biblical figures, often equating individuals such as Reaiah with Haroeh. He proposes identifications where the text is silent, for instance suggesting that Hazelelponi may have been Samson's mother. He also notes that polygamy was not considered unlawful in that era.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB clarifies that "sons of Judah" refers to descendants, not immediate children, since only Pharez was a direct son. The other names appear solely to introduce Shobal, whose genealogy the historian intended to trace.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch read this verse as a heading for the genealogical lists that follow. The five names called sons of Judah are not his actual children except Pharez; the rest are descendants. The verse expects the reader already to know their relationships from chapter 2, presenting these as individual clan founders, not family groups.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that this section is a collection of disconnected genealogical fragments, assembled like pebbles from different sources and held together only by their common link to the tribe of Judah. He sees it as a supplement to earlier lists and a transition to the wider survey of all twelve tribes.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
In a chapter filled with genealogical names, Henry singles out Jabez as the one person marked "more honourable." The commentator highlights that his mother named him from her sorrow, making his later prayer and God's granting of his request stand out as a bright exception in an otherwise dry family list.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the word "sons" here means descendants, not immediate children. Only Pharez was Judah's direct son; the others are named simply to trace Shobal's family line back to Judah.