Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 2:26 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 2:26 records that Jerahmeel had another wife named Atarah, and she was the mother of Onam. This verse simply adds a detail to Jerahmeel’s family line, noting a second wife and her child. This verse is part of a larger genealogical record in 1 Chronicles, where the writer lists the descendants of Judah. The focus here is on Jerahmeel, a descendant of Judah, and the mention of Atarah and her son Onam helps clarify family relationships for later generations.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:26

Accepted Answer

אִשָּׁה (’ishah, transliterated “wife”): This word means “wife” or “woman.” The verse uses it to specify that Atarah was not Jerahmeel’s only wife, highlighting the presence of multiple family branches. שֵׁם (shem, transliterated “name”): This word means “name.” The verse takes care to name Atarah, which is notable since women are not always named in genealogies, showing her importance in this lineage. אֵם (’em, transliterated “mother”): This word means “mother.” The verse uses it to clarify that Atarah, not Jerahmeel’s first wife, was the mother of Onam, which is important for tracing ancestry.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 2:26 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse helps clarify the family structure of Jerahmeel, showing that Onam’s mother was Atarah, not Jerahmeel’s first wife, which is important for understanding later genealogical references. By naming Atarah, the verse highlights her significance in the family line, which is unusual in ancient genealogies where women are often unnamed. This detail helps readers follow the complex family relationships in the tribe of Judah, which is a major theme in the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 2:26 (KJV)