And afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was threescore years old; and she bare him Segub.

1 CHRONICLES 2:21KJV
Know the Bible

1 Chronicles 2:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:21 mean?

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.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:21

  • 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.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:21 matters

  • 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.

Where else these words appear

“Segub” Hebrew H7687 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:34 In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:22 And Segub begat Jair, who had three and twenty cities in the land of Gilead.

“Hezron” Hebrew H2696 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 46:9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
  • Joshua 15:3 And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:
  • 1 Chronicles 2:9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him; Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai.

“Machir” Hebrew H4353 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 50:23 And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.
  • Deuteronomy 3:15 And I gave Gilead unto Machir.
  • 2 Samuel 9:5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

“threescore” Hebrew H8346 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 5:15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
  • Numbers 31:34 And threescore and one thousand asses,
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.