Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha.

1 CHRONICLES 2:34KJV
Know the Bible

1 Chronicles 2:34 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:34 mean?

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.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:34

  • 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.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:34 matters

  • 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.

Where else these words appear

“Jarha” Hebrew H3398 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:35 And Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant to wife; and she bare him Attai.

“Sheshan” Hebrew H8348 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 2:31 And the sons of Appaim; Ishi. And the sons of Ishi; Sheshan. And the children of Sheshan; Ahlai.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:35 And Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant to wife; and she bare him Attai.

“Egyptian” Hebrew H4713 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 12:12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
  • Genesis 39:5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
  • Deuteronomy 23:7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.