Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,

1 CHRONICLES 2:14KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“Nethaneel” Hebrew H5417 · used in 14 verses

  • Numbers 1:8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
  • Numbers 10:15 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

“fifth” Hebrew H2549 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 1:23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
  • Numbers 29:26 And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,

“fourth” Hebrew H7243 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
  • 2 Samuel 3:4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
  • 1 Chronicles 27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.