Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 2:34 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 2:34 states that Sheshan, a man mentioned in the genealogies of Judah, did not have any sons but only daughters. It also notes that Sheshan had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. This verse is part of a larger genealogy listing the descendants of Judah. The detail about Sheshan having no sons but daughters sets up an unusual family situation in the lineage, and mentioning his Egyptian servant Jarha hints at a significant event in the family line, which is explained in the following verses.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:34

Accepted Answer

שֵׁשָׁן (Sheshan, transliteration: Sheshan): This is the personal name of the man whose family situation is being described. The repetition of his name in the verse emphasizes his role in this part of the genealogy. בֵּן (ben, transliteration: sons): This word means "sons" and its absence in Sheshan's family is highlighted, which was notable in ancient genealogies where male heirs were especially significant. בַּת (bat, transliteration: daughters): This word means "daughters," and its mention here draws attention to the unusual fact that Sheshan's lineage continues through his daughters, not sons. עֶבֶד (eved, transliteration: servant): This word means "servant" or "slave," and its use here shows Jarha's social status in Sheshan's household. מִצְרִי (Mitzri, transliteration: Egyptian): This word identifies Jarha's origin, showing that he was not an Israelite but a foreigner in the family line.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 2:34 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse highlights an exception in the usual pattern of male inheritance in biblical genealogies, showing that sometimes family lines continued through daughters. The mention of Jarha, an Egyptian servant, hints at a blending of Israelite and non-Israelite backgrounds in the genealogy, which is unusual and noteworthy for readers tracing the line of Judah. This detail prepares the reader for the next verses, where Sheshan's daughter marries Jarha, showing how the family line continues in an unexpected way.

1 Chronicles 2:34 (KJV)