Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 1

Introduction

First Chronicles Chapter 1

1 Chronicles 1:1-23

The penman of Chronicles is unknown, but some believe that Ezra compiled it. Actually, in the beginning the first and second Chronicles was one continuous book. Chronicles was, also, known as "The Words Of The Days". These books of Chronicles were the last book of the Hebrew Bible. Chronicles cover the period of time that we have just gone through in the books of Samuel and Kings. It differs from Samuel and Kings, in that it primarily deals with David, and then with Judah, more than with the ten tribes of Israel. It, also, contains genealogies going back to Adam. The book actually carries us from Adam through the Babylonian captivity. It seems, it was compiled just after the Babylonian captivity. The Hebrews were very good record keepers, so there was a great deal of information available for this. Chronicles speaks of historical facts that have been recorded. It leaves no doubt of the sovereignty of God.

1 Chronicles 1:1 "Adam, Sheth, Enosh,"

The book begins with a genealogy beginning with Adam. It is interesting that Cain and Abel are left out of this genealogy. Seth {Sheth} was born, when Adam was 130 years old. There may be an explanation for this in the next verse. Cain killed Abel. Abel was in the spiritual line from Adam. Seth replaced Abel in the spiritual line. Genesis 4:25 "And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, [said she], hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew."

1 Chronicles 1:2 "Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,"

Kenan is the same as Cainan. He lived 910 years. Mahalaleel lived 895 years. Jered lived 962 years and was, also, known as Jared.

1 Chronicles 1:3 "Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,"

Henoch is the same as Enoch. This is the same Enoch, who walked with God and was not, because God took him. He was the first one recorded to go to heaven without benefit of the grave. This Enoch is from the spiritual line of Adam. There was, also, another Enoch who was descended from Cain. He was in the line of the flesh. There was a Methuselah in the spiritual line from Seth who lived longer on the earth than anyone else ever recorded. He lived 969 years. There was a Methusael descended from Cain, also. Lamech, descended from Seth lived 777 years. Cain had a descendent with the name of Lamech, as well.

1 Chronicles 1:4 "Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth."

Noah is the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. During Noah’s life, the earth was flooded, and he, and his three sons, and all of their wives were the only ones saved. He built an ark on instructions from God, and saved his family from the flood. The earth was re-populated by their families.

1 Chronicles 1:5 "The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras."

"Japheth" means widespreading, and that is just what his family did. Gomer began the Celtic tribes and, probably, Germany. Magog was said to have inhabited modern Russia. Madai settled in the land later known as the Medes. Javan was believed to settle in Syria and Greece. Tubal settled in the south of the Black Sea in the area of Spain. Meshech was in the area of Moscow. Tiras, probably, settled the coasts of the Agean Sea. The Gentile nations are from Japheth’s descendents.

1 Chronicles 1:6 "And the sons of Gomer; Ashchenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah."

Ashchenaz was the beginning of the Assyrians. At the time of Jeremiah, some of them lived near Ararat. They were spoken of as barbarians. Riphath is called Diphath in one Scripture. Very little is known of him. Togarmah was believed to have settled in Turkey. They were said to have traded with Tyre in horses and mules. In Ezekiel, they are spoken of as followers of Gog.

1 Chronicles 1:7 "And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim."

Elishah settled Cyprus. They were known for their scarlet and purple material they sold. Tarshish is a word we heard a lot in connection with merchants of Tarshish. It appears, they were merchants, who shipped goods by water. One meaning for the name Tarshish is melting plant, or refinery. They could have been involved in the melting of metals. Very little else is known of them. Kittim is the same as Chittim. It appears, they settled on the Mediterranean Sea. Dodanim is the same as Dardani. Troy and Illyricum were two cities which came from them.

1 Chronicles 1:8 "The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan."

Cush was the father of Nimrod, who founded Babylon. "Cush" means black. Mizraim could have been the founder of Egypt. They were, also, believed to be the founders of Philistia. Put seemed to settle in Africa. He is associated with Somolialand. Canaan was the founder of the Canaanites which included the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgasites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and the Hamathites.

1 Chronicles 1:9 "And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raamah, and Sabtecha. And the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan."

Seba lived in the land of Babylon. Havilah, also, settled in the area of Babylon. Sabta was, also, spelled Sabtah. He, possibly, settled in Babylon, nothing is known of his settlements for sure. Raamah were known as traders from southwest Arabia. There is nothing more known of Sabtecha. Sheba settled on the shores of the Persian Gulf. "Dedan" means depression, or low country. That is all we know of Dedan.

1 Chronicles 1:10 "And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth."

Nimrod founded Babylon. He is known as the father of Babylon. We must notice that his power is not spiritual power, but earthly power. He was a flesh man, not a spirit man. "Nimrod" means strength, or rebel. The 3 descendents of Ham brought the first earthly kings into being. Babylon and Nimrod seem to be spoken of with evil. They were opposed to the LORD from the beginning. Nimrod was a mighty warrior.

1 Chronicles 1:11 "And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,"

Ludim seemed to have fathered the African nations near Egypt. Anamim formed an Egyptian tribe, of which nothing more is known. Lehabim seemed to father the fair-haired, blue-eyed Lybians. These particular people fought for Egypt. Naphtuhim settled in Egypt, or immediately west of it. Nothing more is known of them.

1 Chronicles 1:12 "And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (of whom came the Philistines,) and Caphthorim."

Pathrusim founded Pathros. Casluhim’s descendents became the Philistines. Caphthorim, possibly, founded Caphtor, and the Philistines came from there too.

1 Chronicles 1:13 "And Canaan begat Zidon his firstborn, and Heth,"

1 Chronicles 1:14 "The Jebusite also, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,"

1 Chronicles 1:15 "And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,"

1 Chronicles 1:16 "And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite."

Heth was the father of the Hittites. "Zidon" means fishing. All of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites descended from Ham through Canaan. They settled the land of the Canaanites, that would later become the holy land.

1 Chronicles 1:17 "The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech."

Shem is the son of Noah. It is in his lineage that the Lord Jesus Christ comes. The ark was finished, when he was 98 years old. Elam settled the land beyond the Tigris River and east of Babylon. Asshur founded the land of Assyria. Arphaxad would be the son of Shem the lineage of Jesus will come through, He settled north, northeast of Ninevah. This Lud settled, probably, in the Asian nations. Aram was the father of the Armenians, who were located in Syria and Mesopotamia. They extended into Lebanon. The maternal ancestry of Jacob’s children was Aramaic. Uz was a grandson of Shem, through Aram. Hul, Gether, and Meshech {Mash} were grandsons, also, through Aram.

1 Chronicles 1:18 "And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber."

We must trace Arphaxad’s family even closer, because he is in the lineage of Jesus. It appears, that he was born very soon after the flood. Shelah is, also, spoken of as Salah. He is the only son of Arphaxad, mentioned. "Salah" means missle, or javelin. Eber, is sometimes called Ebet. "Eber" means the region beyond.

1 Chronicles 1:19 "And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one [was] Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother’s name [was] Joktan."

"Peleg" means division. Could it be, that during the days of Peleg the earth actually separated? We must remember several things. Before the flood, it had never rained upon the earth. We know that the days of Peleg are not long after that great event. The continents, did break apart at sometime in history. Is it possible this is speaking of that? It is very interesting to me that "Eber" means region beyond. What is it beyond? I do not believe the statement "the earth divided" means a scattering of the people. It did not say the people of the earth divided. If the continents did separate, that is why there were people in the Americas. That could be why the American Indians tell of a great flood, as well as the people of the Mediterranean. That would even answer why there are pyramids in South America. "Joktan" means small. Very little else is known of him, except that he had numerous sons listed below.

1 Chronicles 1:20 "And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,"

1 Chronicles 1:21 "Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah,"

1 Chronicles 1:22 "And Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,"

1 Chronicles 1:23 "And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these [were] the sons of Joktan."

Almodad was the father of an Arabian tribe. Sheleph’s descendents were Arab’s, also. "Hazarmaveth" means village of death. "Jerah" means moon or month. Hadoram was another Arab tribe founder. Uzal, probably, founded Yemen. Nothing else is known of Diklah. "Ebal" means bare, or stone. Abimael was the founder of an Arabian tribe called Mael. Sheba was one of the sons of Joktan, who founded tribes of Arabia. The country became known as Sheba. Nothing more is known of Ophir, except they were Arabs. Havilah founded an area north of Sheba. They were Arabs, also. "Jobab" means desert, howler, one who calls shrilly. It appears, that all of the sons of Joktan were Arabs.

1 Chronicles 1:1-23 Questions

1. Who do most people believe compiled Chronicles?

2. What is another name for Chronicles?

3. What period of time does Chronicles cover?

4. When was it compiled?

5. What does the book begin with?

6. How old was Adam, when Seth was born?

7. Why does verse 1, of this lesson, skip Cain and Abel?

8. Quote Genesis 4:25.

9. What is another name for Kenan?

10. Henoch is the same as ________.

11. What was he the first to do?

12. What is special about Methuselah from Seth’s line?

13. Who are Shem, Ham, and Japheth?

14. What does "Japheth" mean?

15. Where did Gomer settle?

16. Cush was the father of _________.

17. Who founded Babylon?

18. What does "Cush" mean?

19. Canaan was the founder of what people?

20. What kind of a man was Nimrod?

21. Who is Shem?

22. How old was he, when the ark was finished?

23. Why is Arphaxad important?

24. What does "Eber" mean?

25. Who was Eber’s son mentioned here?

26. What special thing happened in his lifetime?

27. What does the author ask about this time?

28. Who were Joktan’s descendents?

29. What does "Jobab" mean?

1 Chronicles 1:24-54

1 Chronicles 1:24 "Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,"

Notice that before this verse, we stopped momentarily to speak of the sons of Joktan. Now, the lineage goes back, again, repeating Shem, son of Noah that the Lord Jesus would come through. Arphaxad and Shelah are repeated, also.

1 Chronicles 1:25 "Eber, Peleg, Reu,"

Eber and Peleg are repeated, again. We will begin the lineage again with Reu. In the book of Luke, he is spoken of as Ragau. The name "Reu" means friend.

1 Chronicles 1:26 "Serug, Nahor, Terah,"

Serug is the great-grand-father of Abraham. He was 30 years old when Nahor was born. Serug is called Saruch in other Scriptures. "Nahor" means snorting, or snoring. Nachor is the same Nahor. Terah was born in Ur of the Chaldees. He lived there all of his life. We read from the Scriptures that Terah was an idolater. Joshua 24:2 "And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods."

1 Chronicles 1:27 "Abram; the same [is] Abraham."

"Abram" means high father. "Abraham" means father of a great multitude. Abram married his half-sister, Sarai, and God changed their names to Sarah and Abraham and gives them a son {Isaac} who the blessings would continue through. All believers are spiritually associated with Abraham, because of their mutual belief. Galatians 3:29 "And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." The believers in Christ are the multitudes.

1 Chronicles 1:28 "The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael."

Ishmael was the first born of Abraham, but was not his heir. He was born of Hagar {servant girl of Sarah}. Hagar was an Egyptian. Ishmael was the son of the flesh. He was not the son the blessings would flow through. Isaac was the son of promise. He was the son of the spirit, that the promises from God would flow through. "Isaac" means laughter. He was a miracle from God, that came when Abraham and Sarah were very old. Genesis 21:12 "And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." The spiritual blessings from God would come through Isaac.

1 Chronicles 1:29 "These [are] their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,"

1 Chronicles 1:30 "Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,"

1 Chronicles 1:31 "Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael."

It is interesting that Ismael had 12 sons. They were Arabians. Ishmael’s blessings were earthly blessings, and not of a spiritual nature. His sons settled from Havilah unto Shur. This was near Egypt and Assyria. These twelve sons were princes and had castles. They were founders of the Arab nations of today. Ishmael lived 137 years. We will not dwell on these in this lesson, because we are tracing the lineage that leads to David.

1 Chronicles 1:32 "Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan."

1 Chronicles 1:33 "And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these [are] the sons of Keturah."

Abraham married Keturah after Sarah died. This is speaking of his family with Keturah. She is spoken of as a concubine here, but as a wife in other Scriptures. It is very obvious from the Scriptures in Genesis, that Keturah’s children were, also, of the flesh, and not the spirit. Her descendents would not inherit the spiritual blessings that would come through the promised son, Isaac. These sons and grandsons seemed to be Arabians.

1 Chronicles 1:34 “And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel.”

Esau was the firstborn, but the blessing would not come through him, because he had no regard for his birthright. Esau will be the founder of Edom, or the Edomites. The blessing will come through Israel {Jacob}. The rest of this chapter is devoted to the sons of the flesh through Esau. These are their children and grandchildren.

1 Chronicles 1:35 "The sons of Esau; Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah."

"Eliphaz" means God of gold, or God is fine gold. "Reuel" means friend of God, or God is a friend. Jeush was the first of the three sons of Esau by Aholibamah. Jaalam was the second son. Korah was the third son. It was in his tribe, where "duke" began to mean tribe head. All of these sons were Edomites.

1 Chronicles 1:36 "The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek."

These names of these sons of Eliphaz are, also, names of Edomite villages. The tribes and the villages they controlled, were named for them.

1 Chronicles 1:37 "The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah."

Each son of Ishmael had sons who headed up these tribes.

1 Chronicles 1:38 "And the sons of Seir; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezar, and Dishan."

1 Chronicles 1:39 "And the sons of Lotan; Hori, and Homam: and Timna [was] Lotan’s sister."

1 Chronicles 1:40 "The sons of Shobal; Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon; Aiah, and Anah."

These were all Edomites, and they each had towns and tribes named for them. There is one girl in these names, Timna. The capital of Qataban was named for her. She is thought to be the mother of Amalek.

1 Chronicles 1:41 "The sons of Anah; Dishon. And the sons of Dishon; Amram, and Esh-ban, and Ithran, and Cheran."

1 Chronicles 1:42 "The sons of Ezer; Bilhan, and Zavan, [and] Jakan. The sons of Dishan; Uz, and Aran."

These were all princes, sheiks, kings, or dukes of these various tribes of Edom. They are all Arabs descended from Ishmael.

1 Chronicles 1:43 "Now these [are] the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before [any] king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city [was] Dinhabah."

God was the king of the 12 tribes of Israel. They were not to have earthly kings. The Edomites blessings were of the earth, they were flesh descendents of Abraham. They were not instructed not to have kings. Their blessings were for the earth. Bela was a Chaldean and reigned in Edom by conquest.

1 Chronicles 1:44 "And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead."

1 Chronicles 1:45 "And when Jobab was dead, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead."

1 Chronicles 1:46 "And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city [was] Avith."

All of these kings and dukes are listed to show us exactly where the opposition to Israel comes from. The flesh {represented by the numerous descendents of Ishmael} have been enemies with the spiritual line of Isaac from the time here, even unto current times. The flesh and the spirit will war, until the end of time on this earth.

1 Chronicles 1:47 "And when Hadad was dead, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead."

1 Chronicles 1:48 "And when Samlah was dead, Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead."

1 Chronicles 1:49 "And when Shaul was dead, Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead."

1 Chronicles 1:50 "And when Baal-hanan was dead, Hadad reigned in his stead: and the name of his city [was] Pai; and his wife’s name [was] Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab."

All of this is shown to show how one generation dies off, and another comes in their place. The kings are kings, because their fathers were kings, not because they are qualified to be kings. "Hadad" is a name meaning king. It is a name very similar to Pharaoh. Pai has nothing else written about it, except what is here.

1 Chronicles 1:51 "Hadad died also. And the dukes of Edom were; duke Timnah, duke Aliah, duke Jetheth,"

1 Chronicles 1:52 "Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,"

1 Chronicles 1:53 "Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,"

1 Chronicles 1:54 "Duke Magdiel, duke Iram. These [are] the dukes of Edom."

These eleven dukes of Edom, here, are speaking of them as being heads of tribes of Edom. These are, probably, names of people, but they are, also, the names of the tribes and, possibly, names of the towns where they ruled their people from. In this first chapter, we have covered over 2,000 years 9 from the birth of Adam. These dukes were reigning about 2,300 years {give or take a few years} after the birth of Adam.

1 Chronicles 1:24-54 Questions

1. What lineage does this lesson deal with?

2. What is another name for Reu?

3. What does "Reu" mean?

4. Who is Serug?

5. What does "Nahor" mean?

6. Where was Terah born?

7. Quote Joshua 24:2.

8. Abram; the same is _____________.

9. What does "Abram" mean?

10. What does "Abraham" mean?

11. Who did Abram marry?

12. Sarai was his ____________ _________.

13. What was their son’s name, who the blessings would come through?

14. Quote Galatians 3:29.

15. Who was Ishmael?

16. Who was his mother?

17. Ishmael was the son of the __________.

18. What does "Isaac" mean?

19. In ________ shall thy seed be called.

20. How many sons did Ishmael have?

21. All of them were _____________.

22. Who did Abraham marry, after Sarah died?

23. Which of Jacob’s sons was the firstborn?

24. Esau is the father of the ____________.

25. What does "Eliphaz" mean?

26. Who was King of the twelve tribes of Israel?

27. Who ruled over the Edomites?

28. How many dukes of Edom are there in 1 Chronicles 1:51-54?

29. What other things are these named, besides people?

30. About how many years after the birth of Adam did the dukes reign?

Verses 1-4

1Ch 1:1-4

1 Chronicles 1:1-4

THE GENEALOGIES (1 Chronicles 1-9)

"Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Mathuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:1-4. The 10 names represent the "blood line" through that many generations. After Cain killed Abel he was rejected although the older son of Adam. Then Seth (here called Sheth) was born and took his place in the line, and became the ancestor of the "sons of God" mentioned in Genesis 6:2. This is indicated by the marginal reading, "call themselves by the name of the Lord" at Genesis 4:26. See my comments at that place, also at Genesis 6:2. By the blood line is meant the lineal descendants from Adam to Christ, passing through many generations, and often including men of prominence from various stand points. The name or person of Christ was not made known to mankind until the time of Abraham, (Galatians 3:16), but God had it in mind all down through the ages, and guarded it to help keep it a pure strain. We shall observe this line running through patriarch, prophets, kings and preachers. Sometimes the members of the line will be good men and at other times wicked men. Occasionally a woman was allowed to get into the line from the outside, after the strain had been pretty well established, but the masculine side of the line was kept strictly with the lineal descendants of Adam. The general rule was for it to pass through the oldest son, but there are some exceptions, although we will not be able always to discover the basis for the change. This line of descendants has commonly been called the "blood line" from the fact that Christ was to have human blood in his body, received from the first man, and through a carefully guarded line of generations. In most cases the particular group of these men is determined by the mention of some man who was of special importance besides being in the line. The group of this paragraph stops with Noah, made famous by the flood. His three sons are named, and later we shall see one of them placed in the blood line as the story goes on.

Verses 5-7

1Ch 1:5-7

1 Chronicles 1:5-7

"The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Diphath, and Togarmah. And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:5-7. Much of this chapter corresponds with the 10th chapter of Genesis. After running the blood line to Noah, the author gives us information on the three sons of that great man, naming their respective descendants for a few generations. It will be interesting to identify some of the later groups of people with these members of Noah’s family tree. This paragraph deals with the descendants of Japheth. Although mentioned last, he was the oldest son of Noah. (Genesis 10:21). He was the ancestor of the great mass of the earth’s population who came to be referred to as the Gentiles. The Gaulic Celts came from Gomer; the Slays from Magog; the Medea from Madai; the Greeks from Javan; the Germans from Tiras. This information is from Origin of Nations, by George Rawlinson.

Verses 8-16

1Ch 1:8-16

1 Chronicles 1:8-16

"The sons of Ham: Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. And the sons of Cush: Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Ratama, and Sabteca. And Cush begat Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth. And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Naphtuhim, and Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whence came the Philistines), and Caphtorim. And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashaite, and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, and the Arvadite, and the Zimarite, and the Hamathite."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:8-16. The inferior nations came from Ham, and some of the most noted ones will be identified in this paragraph. Cush originated the Ethiopians, the Canaanites and Philistines. Nimrod began to be mighty. A more specific reference to his power is given in Genesis 10:10 where he is connected with the kingdom of Babylon. The several "ites" of the Bible history are shown to have originated with Canaan, son of Ham.

Verses 17-23

1Ch 1:17-23

1 Chronicles 1:17-23

"The sons of Shem: Elam, and Asshur, and Arpachshad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech. And Arpachshad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber. And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joiaan. And Joiaan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, and Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba, and Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:17-23. Shem was in the blood line, and from him came the great Israelite nation. There were other noted people who came from him. This is explained by the fact that the line always continued through only one of his sons, until the time of David, when two sons were admitted into it, carrying the blood stream down to the time of Christ and terminating on the two sides of his house namely, his mother and foster father. If one of the fathers of the line had more than one son, he might become the founder of a somewhat noted people, and they would be considered as indirectly related to the regular line. Thus we have the Assyrians springing from Asshur, one of the sons of Shem. Other branches of Shem’s family are mentioned in this paragraph, including a number who were directly in the line. However, they will be named distinctly from those on the outside in another paragraph.

Verses 24-27

1Ch 1:24-27

1 Chronicles 1:24-27

"Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abram (the same is Abraham)."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:24-27. This is another group of 10 in the direct blood line. It terminates with Abram (called also Abraham) for the reason that he was another outstanding man in the Biblical history. With this paragraph we have the blood line brought down to the 20th generation from Adam.

Verses 28-31

1Ch 1:28-31

1 Chronicles 1:28-31

"The sons of Abraham: Isaac, and Ishmael. These are their generations: the first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbael, and Mibsam, Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:28-31. Isaac was 14 years younger than Ishmael, but is named first because he was the son chosen to be in the line. The members of Ishmael’s family will be given more notice sometime later, but are only casually named in this paragraph.

Verses 32-33

1Ch 1:32-33

1 Chronicles 1:32-33

"And the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:32-33. The woman who is here called Abraham’s concubine is called his wife in Genesis 25:1. That is because there was no moral difference between the two words in ancient times. The difference was in regard to property rights. That is why Genesis 25:5-6 states that Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, and gave only gifts to the sons of the concubineAbraham married Keturah after the death of Sarah. There were 6 sons born of the last marriage, and the name to note is Midian, because he was the founder of the famous Midianite nation.

Verse 34

1Ch 1:34

1 Chronicles 1:34

"And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau, and Israel."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:34. In a verse above, two of Abraham’s sons are named. Now the author is concerned about the one who is in the direct blood line, but who also had his family tree divided into two branches, Esau and Israel or Jacob.

Verses 35-37

1Ch 1:35-37

1 Chronicles 1:35-37

"The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah. The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek. The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:35-36. The readers marking their Bibles should underscore Esau, Eliphaz and Amalek. That will assist the eye in selecting the names of special importance. The Amalekites were a famous people, and this passage shows at a glance the origin of, and hence the relation to, the regular blood line.

1 Chronicles 1:37-42. This paragraph is a list of the members of Esau’s family down to the 2nd or 3rd generation. There is nothing in their history of special interest to us.

Verses 38-42

1Ch 1:38-42

1 Chronicles 1:38-42

"And the sons of Seir: Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anath, and Ezer, and Dishan. And the sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister. The sons of Shobah Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon: Ajah, and Anah. The sons of Anah: Dishon. And the sons of Dishon: Hamran, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz, and Aran."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:37-42. This paragraph is a list of the members of Esau’s family down to the 2nd or 3rd generation. There is nothing in their history of special interest to us.

Verses 43-50

1Ch 1:43-50

1 Chronicles 1:43-50

"And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah. And Belah died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead. And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Avith. And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead. And Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead. And Shaul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead. And Baalhanan died, and Hadad reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Pai; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred. And Hadad died."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:43. There were two noted groups of people that came from Esau. The Amalekites are named in V. 36, and now we have Edom introduced, which gave the name of Edomites to another group. Edom, was another name for Esau, and was given to him from the fact of his being red, also because of his fondness for red pottage. (Genesis 25:25; Genesis 25:30). But the name Edomites, while being related to the meaning of the word, came to refer specifically to that portion of Esau’s descendants who were located near Mount Seir. The references to Seir or Edom, therefore, have in mind this portion of Esau’s descendants, and these people were by far the most important of his family tree. Some favor was shown to the Edomites in that, they had kings before Israel. We recall that Jacob had cheated his brother about the birthright and blessing, but Esau was never entirely forgotten by the Lord.

1 Chronicles 1:44-50. The main point of interest to us in these verses is the fact that Edom had quite a succession of kings, not just one who perhaps sprang up "over night" and soon died out.

Verses 51-54

1Ch 1:51-54

1 Chronicles 1:51-54

"And the chiefs of Edom were: chief Temna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth, chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom."

"All of these genealogies are given in Genesis, as follows: (1 Chronicles 1:1-4) are in Genesis 5:3-22, and Genesis 10:1; (1 Chronicles 1:5-23) are in Genesis 10:2-4; Genesis 10:6-8; Genesis 10:13-18 a,22-29; (1 Chronicles 1:24-27) are in Genesis 11:10-26 (cf. 17:5); (1 Chronicles 1:28-34) are in Genesis 25:12-16 a, 1-4,19-26 (cf. Genesis 16:15; Genesis 21:2 f)."

See the parallel scriptures for my comments.

"Peleg ... in his days was the earth divided" (1 Chronicles 1:10). This is one of the most interesting statements in the Bible, because it corresponds with what is now recognized as a scientifically accepted fact, namely, that, "All of the continents once formed a single land mass. Only yesterday, in earth’s time span, the land formed a single super-continent," a postulation dramatically supported by the declaration in Genesis that, "The waters under the heaven were gathered unto one place" (Genesis 1:9). The oceans also were a single body of water with the huge land mass also in a single continent.

Robert Dentan devoted only two pages of comment for all of these first nine chapters, but he surely caught the spirit of the author in these words:

"He refused to tell the story of Israel as though they were a small, isolated, self-contained group. He presents the national history of Israel as the climactic point in the history of the entire human race .... The prefacing of his book with these genealogies was the author’s method of setting in the proper context the story which follows."

E.M. Zerr:

1 Chronicles 1:51-54. The Edomites had not only a line of kings, but a group of dukes, which means leaders or chieftains.