1 Chronicles 1:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 1:2 mean?

1 Chronicles 1:2 lists three names—Kenan, Mahalaleel, and Jered—as part of a genealogy. This verse is simply naming individuals in a family line, tracing the descendants from earlier generations.

The book of 1 Chronicles opens with genealogies, and this verse is part of a long list that traces the line from Adam onward. The writer is recording the ancestors of the people of Israel, and these names connect the story of Israel back to the earliest humans mentioned in the Bible.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 1:2

• קֵינָן (Qēnān, "Kenan"): This name refers to a descendant of Adam and is sometimes spelled "Cainan" in other translations. Including Kenan highlights the continuity of the family line from Adam.
• מַהֲלַלְאֵל (Mahalalʾēl, "Mahalaleel"): This name means "praise of God" or "the blessed God." Its inclusion shows the importance of certain individuals in the ancestral line.
• יָרֶד (Yāred, "Jered"): This name is often understood as "descent" or "to descend." Jered is another key figure in the genealogical record, linking generations together.

Why 1 Chronicles 1:2 matters

• This verse shows the careful preservation of family history, which was important for the identity of Israel.
• By listing these names, the Chronicler connects the people of Israel to the earliest figures in the Bible, emphasizing continuity and heritage.
• Understanding these genealogies helps readers see how the biblical story is rooted in real people and generations, not just abstract ideas.