1 Chronicles 2:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:14 mean?

1 Chronicles 2:14 lists two sons in a genealogy: "Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth." This verse simply records the order of birth for these two sons in a family line, as part of a longer list in the chapter.

The Book of 1 Chronicles is recounting the descendants of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. This verse is part of a detailed genealogy, and the immediate context is naming the sons of Jesse, who was the father of King David. The verse does not add narrative or commentary, but helps establish the family line and order of Jesse’s sons.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:14

• נְתַנְאֵל (Nethaneel, transliterated "Nethaneel") means "God has given." The name itself reflects a common theme in Hebrew names, expressing gratitude or recognition of God’s action.
• רַדַּי (Raddai, transliterated "Raddai") is a less common name, and its meaning is uncertain, but it appears here as the fifth son in the list.
• רְבִיעִי (revi‘i, transliterated "fourth") and חֲמִישִׁי (chamishi, transliterated "fifth") are ordinal numbers, simply marking the birth order of the sons. Their use here is factual, not symbolic.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:14 matters

• This verse helps clarify the order of Jesse’s sons, which is relevant for understanding later stories about David and his family.
• By naming each son and their place in the family, the genealogy emphasizes the importance of lineage and heritage in Israel’s history.
• The verse connects to the broader purpose of 1 Chronicles, which is to document the ancestry of key figures in Israel, especially leading up to King David.