1 Chronicles 2:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:22 mean?

1 Chronicles 2:22 records that Segub was the father of Jair, and Jair controlled twenty-three cities in the region called Gilead. This verse is part of a genealogy, showing the descendants of Judah and highlighting Jair’s significant holdings in Gilead.

The book of 1 Chronicles was written to list the family lines of Israel, and this verse is part of a section tracing the descendants of Hezron through Segub. The mention of Jair’s twenty-three cities in Gilead points to his influence and the extent of his family’s territory east of the Jordan River, an area known for its rich pastureland.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:22

• גִּלְעָד (Gilʿad, "Gilead"): This word refers to a specific region east of the Jordan River, known in the Bible for its hills and fertile land. Naming Gilead helps the reader place Jair’s cities geographically and understand the importance of this territory.
• עִיר (ʿir, "city"): The term for "cities" here suggests not just small villages but established towns or settlements, indicating that Jair’s holdings were substantial and organized.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:22 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jair, though not a major figure in most biblical stories, was a person of considerable local power, controlling many cities in a prime region.
• The detail about the land of Gilead connects the tribe of Judah’s descendants to areas east of the Jordan, showing the spread and influence of Israelite families beyond the traditional boundaries.
• By including this information in a genealogy, the Chronicler emphasizes the historical roots and territorial claims of certain families, which would have mattered to the original audience rebuilding their identity after exile.