1 Chronicles 1:40 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 1:40 mean?

1 Chronicles 1:40 lists the sons of Shobal—Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam—and the sons of Zibeon—Aiah and Anah. This verse is part of a genealogy, recording the descendants of these two men.

The book of 1 Chronicles opens with genealogies tracing the origins of Israel and its neighbors. In this verse, the writer is listing family lines connected to the Edomites, descendants of Esau, for the people of Israel to remember their wider family history. The focus is on preserving names and relationships rather than telling a story or giving commands.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 1:40

• The word for "sons" is בְּנֵי (benê, H1121), which simply means male descendants or children. Its repeated use here emphasizes the importance of lineage in ancient Israelite culture.
• The names Shobal (שׁוֹבָל, shoval, H7732), Alian (עַלְיָן, ‘alyan, H5935), Manahath (מָנַחַת, manachat, H4506), Ebal (עֵיבָל, ‘eval, H5858), Shephi (שֵׁפִי, shephi, H8195), Onam (אוֹנָם, onam, H208), Zibeon (צִבְעוֹן, tsiv‘on, H6649), Aiah (אַיָּה, ayah, H345), and Anah (עֲנָה, ‘anah, H6034) are all preserved in Hebrew form, showing the chronicler’s care in recording the exact names as they were known in the original tradition.

Why 1 Chronicles 1:40 matters

• This verse helps clarify the family lines of Edom, which is important for understanding the relationships between Israel and its neighbors in later biblical stories.
• By listing these names, the chronicler connects Israel’s history to a broader context, showing that the people of Israel were part of a larger family network in the ancient world.
• The verse also demonstrates the value placed on ancestry and heritage in the biblical tradition, where knowing one’s lineage was tied to identity and belonging.