1 Chronicles 2:26 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:26 mean?

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.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:26

• 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.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:26 matters

• 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.