1 Chronicles 2:46 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:46 mean?

1 Chronicles 2:46 records that Ephah, who was a concubine of Caleb, gave birth to three sons: Haran, Moza, and Gazez. The verse also notes that Haran became the father of Gazez, indicating a family relationship within Caleb’s extended household.

This verse appears in a genealogy section where the chronicler is listing the descendants of Judah, specifically focusing on Caleb’s family. The mention of Ephah as a concubine (not a primary wife) and the naming of her children shows the detailed interest in all branches of the family, not just those from main wives. This detail helps trace the lineage and connections among different clans within the tribe.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:46

• פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pilegesh, "concubine"): This word means a woman who had a recognized relationship with a man but did not have the full status of a wife. Including Ephah as a pilegesh highlights the chronicler’s attention to all descendants, not just those from primary marriages.
• יָלַד (yalad, "bare" or "begat"): This verb means to give birth or to father. Its use here clarifies the biological relationships being described, showing direct descent.
• הָרָן (Haran) and גָּזֵז (Gazez): The repetition of these names in both the list of children and the note that Haran begat Gazez may suggest a generational overlap or a complex family structure, which was not uncommon in ancient genealogies.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:46 matters

• This verse shows that the chronicler valued recording the full extent of Caleb’s family, including children born to concubines, which was important for understanding tribal inheritance and social structure in ancient Israel.
• By naming both the mother and her children, the verse emphasizes the legitimacy and recognition of all descendants within the clan, not just those from primary wives.
• The detail about Haran fathering Gazez, even though both are listed as Ephah’s sons, may indicate either a generational gap or a different family arrangement, reminding readers that ancient genealogies can be complex and sometimes non-linear.