Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 2:50 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 2:50 lists some of the descendants of Caleb, specifically naming Shobal as the father of Kirjathjearim. The verse is part of a genealogy that traces the family lines of important figures in Israel’s history. This verse appears in a section where the writer is carefully recording the lineage of Judah’s descendants. The focus is on Caleb, called the son of Hur and the firstborn of Ephratah, and his son Shobal, who is linked to the town of Kirjathjearim. The purpose is to show the ancestry and connections of families and towns in ancient Israel.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:50

Accepted Answer

כָּלֵב (Kaleb): This is the name Caleb, an important figure in Judah’s tribe. Naming him as the son of חוּר (Hur) and the firstborn of אֶפְרָתָה (Ephratah) connects him to well-known ancestors and locations. שׁוֹבָל (Shoval): Shobal is named as a son of Caleb and is identified as the father (אָב, av) of קִרְיַת יְעָרִים (Kirjathjearim), a significant town. This ties a person to a place, showing how family lines helped establish settlements. בֵּן (ben): This word means "son," and its repeated use in the genealogy emphasizes family relationships and inheritance.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 2:50 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse helps clarify the connections between people and places in Israel’s early history, showing how towns like Kirjathjearim were linked to specific families. It emphasizes the importance of genealogies in the Bible, which were used to establish identity, inheritance, and tribal territory. By tracing Caleb’s line, the verse connects to earlier stories about Caleb’s faithfulness and his role in Israel’s journey to the Promised Land, giving more context to his descendants’ significance.

1 Chronicles 2:50 (KJV)