1 Chronicles 2:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:18 mean?

1 Chronicles 2:18 states that Caleb, who was the son of Hezron, had children by two women named Azubah (his wife) and Jerioth. The verse lists the names of their sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. This verse is part of a genealogy, recording family lines and descendants.

In the context of the book, this verse is part of a larger section where the chronicler is listing the descendants of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The focus here is on Caleb’s family, which helps trace the lineage and relationships among the families of Israel. The verse is straightforward, mainly serving to document ancestry for historical and tribal records.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:18

• כָּלֵב (Kaleb): This is the Hebrew name for Caleb, an important figure in the tribe of Judah. The chronicler distinguishes him from another Caleb mentioned elsewhere.
• הֵצְרוֹן (Hezron): Hezron is named as Caleb’s father, anchoring Caleb’s place in the family tree of Judah.
• יָלַד (yalad, “begat”): This verb means to father or bring forth children. It emphasizes Caleb’s role as the ancestor of the listed sons.
• אֵשֶׁת (eshet, “wife”): The word for wife clarifies that Azubah was Caleb’s spouse, not just a partner or concubine, which can matter in genealogical records.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:18 matters

• This verse helps clarify the family tree of Judah, which is important for understanding later references to these families throughout the Bible.
• By naming both Azubah and Jerioth, the verse shows that Caleb had children by more than one woman, which can explain later branches in the genealogy.
• The mention of specific sons (Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon) allows readers to trace particular family lines, which can be important for understanding land inheritance and tribal leadership in Israel’s history.