Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 2:21 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 2:21 records that Hezron, at the age of sixty, married the daughter of Machir (who was the father of Gilead), and she gave birth to a son named Segub. This verse is part of a genealogy, tracing family lines and significant descendants in Israel’s history. The book of 1 Chronicles is written as a historical record for the people of Israel, and this verse specifically notes a later marriage in Hezron’s life and the birth of Segub. The mention of Machir and Gilead connects Hezron’s family to other important tribal groups, showing how different clans within Israel were related.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:21

Accepted Answer

חֶזְרוֹן (Hezron, transliteration: Ḥezron): This is the name of the ancestor being discussed, and his mention here ties the genealogy to earlier patriarchs. מָכִיר (Machir, transliteration: Makhir): Machir is identified as the father of Gilead, which is significant because Machir’s descendants became a major clan within the tribe of Manasseh. שִׂגּוּב (Segub, transliteration: Siguv): The name of the son born from this union, showing the continuation of Hezron’s line through a new branch.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 2:21 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clarifies that Hezron had children later in life, which was not uncommon in biblical genealogies but is specifically noted here, possibly to highlight the importance of Segub’s lineage. By mentioning Machir and Gilead, the verse connects the tribe of Judah (Hezron’s line) with the tribe of Manasseh, showing inter-tribal relationships and alliances. The detail about Hezron’s age (“threescore years old”) emphasizes the ongoing vitality and significance of the patriarchs, even in their later years, and helps trace the family lines with more precision.

1 Chronicles 2:21 (KJV)