Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 2:15 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 2:15 lists two of Jesse’s sons by name, identifying Ozem as the sixth and David as the seventh. This verse is part of a genealogy that traces the family line leading to David, who would become Israel’s most famous king. This verse appears in a section where the writer is recording the descendants of Judah, specifically focusing on Jesse’s sons. The chronicler is giving a careful account of David’s family background, showing his place among his brothers. The verse is straightforward, simply naming Ozem and David in their birth order, with no extra details or stories attached.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:15

Accepted Answer

Ozem (עֹצֵם, ‘Otsēm): This is a personal name, and here it simply identifies one of Jesse’s sons. The name itself does not carry extra meaning in the context of the list. Sixth (שִׁשִּׁי, shishshī): This word means “sixth,” marking Ozem’s position in the birth order. The use of ordinal numbers in genealogies helps clarify family relationships. David (דָּוִד, Dāwīd): This is the Hebrew form of the famous king’s name. Mentioning David in the list highlights his place in Jesse’s family, which is important for the chronicler’s focus on David’s royal line. Seventh (שְׁבִיעִי, shebī‘ī): This word means “seventh,” showing David’s position among his brothers. The specific mention of David as the seventh son can be significant, as seven often has symbolic meaning in the Hebrew Bible, but here it mainly serves to place David within his family.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 2:15 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clarifies David’s position in his family, which is sometimes described differently in other passages, helping readers understand the biblical record of his siblings. By listing David as the seventh son, the chronicler connects David to a broader genealogy, emphasizing his legitimate place in Judah’s line and in Israel’s history. The verse highlights the chronicler’s careful attention to family details, which matters for understanding the structure and priorities of the book of Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 2:15 (KJV)