Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 4

Verse 1

sons = descendants.

Hur, and Shobal. These were sons of Caleb, the son of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:18 , 1Ch 2:20 , 1 Chronicles 2:50 , 1 Chronicles 2:52 ).

Verse 2

Zorathites. See 1 Chronicles 2:53 .

Verse 3

these were of. Some codices, with Septuagint, read "these were the sons of".

Verse 4

father: or lord, or prince. See note on 1 Chronicles 2:42 .

Verse 5

Ashur. A son of Hezron. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:24 .

Verse 7

Ethnan. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis thus: "Eth-nan, and Coz, [and Coz] begat Annb". Compare 1 Chronicles 4:13 .

Verse 9

more honourable. Perhaps his going up with Caleb and Othniel against the Canaanites is referred to. See Judges 1:2 , Judges 1:4 , Judges 1:9-15 .Joshua 15:13-19 .

Jabez. The transposition of letters in Hebrew may intimate a change of experiences, and mean "may he have pain or grief reversed. "

with sorrow. Compare Genesis 3:16 (same word).

Verse 10

the God of Israel (Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 ). A suitable title and prayer before going on the expedition.

Israel. The nation as descended from him for whom God orders all. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .

coast = border or boundary.

grieve = pa i n. Note Figure of speech Aposiopesis. App-6 . No conclusion to his prayer.

Verse 13

Hathath. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus: "Hathath and Meonothai [and Meonothai] begat Ophrah".

Verse 14

valley of Charashim = Ge-harashim, the name of the place.

Verse 15

Caleb the son of Jephunneh. Not the son of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:18 ).

Verse 16

Jehudijah = the Jewess.

Bithiah , the daughter of Pharaoh. Is Bithiah the same as Jehudijah, and did she turn a Jewess? Mered was evidently a man of position.

Verse 19

Hodiah. The Jehudijah of 1 Chronicles 4:18 .

Verse 21

fine linen: or byssus, a fine white Egyptian linen.

Verse 22

had the dominion: or became lords to Moab.

Jashubi-lehem. The Vulgate renders it "and returned to Beth-lehem", like Naomi and Ruth (1 Chronicles 1:1-4 , 1 Chronicles 1:19 ).

things: or records.

Verse 23

those that dwelt, &c. The inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera.

Verse 27

children = sons.

Verse 28

Beer-sheba. Compare Joshua 19:2-5 .

Verse 30

Ziklag. Given later to David by the Philistines (1 Samuel 27:6 ).

Verse 31

unto the reign of David. The Codex Hilleli, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "unto king David".

Verse 33

Baal. Another name for Baalath-beer in Joshua 19:8 .

their genealogy: or, "and they had their own genealogical register. "

Verse 41

written by name: i.e. in the foregoing list.

the habitations = Maonites, or Mehumims (2 Chronicles 26:7 ). Compare 1 Chronicles 20:1 and Judges 10:12 .

Verse 42

five hundred. If these could accomplish such things, what could not the whole of Israel have done? Compare 1 Chronicles 4:10 with 1 Chronicles 5:20 .

Verse 43

the rest of the Amalekites. Not all destroyed in 1 Samuel 15:8 . A number survived. Compare 1 Samuel 27:8 ; 1Sa 30:1 . 2 Samuel 8:12 .Esther 3:1 . See note on Exodus 17:16 .

unto this day. Evidently not disturbed by the king of Babylon in the deportation of Israel.