Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 1:50 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 1:50 records that after Baalhanan died, Hadad became king in his place, and the verse gives the name of Hadad’s city (Pai) and his wife (Mehetabel), including her family background. This verse is part of a genealogy listing the rulers and their families in the line of Edom. This verse is found in a section where the writer of 1 Chronicles is listing the descendants of Esau, who became the nation of Edom. The writer is not speaking directly to anyone but is recording the history for the people of Israel, showing the succession of Edomite kings and their families. The details about Hadad’s city and wife help identify these rulers and connect them to known places and families.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 1:50

Accepted Answer

בַּעַל חָנָן (Baalhanan): This name means "Baal is gracious" and marks a king in the Edomite line, showing the influence of local deities in names. מֵת (met, “dead”): The word simply means "died," marking the transition of power, a key point in genealogical records. מֶהֵיטַבְאֵל (Mehetabel): This name means "God makes happy" or "God does good," highlighting the use of the divine name אֵל (El) in personal names, even among Edomites. פָּעִי (Pai): The name of Hadad’s city, which is only mentioned here, helps anchor the story in a specific place, though the exact location is uncertain.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 1:50 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse shows that the chronicler is carefully recording not just the kings but also their families and cities, emphasizing the importance of lineage and place in ancient records. The mention of Edomite rulers and their families highlights the close but sometimes tense relationship between Israel and Edom, tracing both nations back to Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau. By listing these details, the chronicler connects Israel’s history to its neighbors, showing a broader view of the ancient world and its interconnected peoples.

1 Chronicles 1:50 (KJV)