Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 2:54 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 2:54 lists the descendants of Salma, naming several groups and places: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Ataroth (the house of Joab), half of the Manahethites, and the Zorites. This verse is part of a genealogy, showing the family lines connected to Judah. The writer of 1 Chronicles is recording the family history of the tribe of Judah for the people of Israel, likely after their return from exile. By naming these descendants and places, the verse connects important towns and clans—like Bethlehem, later known as the birthplace of David and Jesus—back to their ancestral roots.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:54

Accepted Answer

בֵּית לֶחֶם (Bethlehem, transliteration: "Beit Lechem") means "house of bread." Its mention ties this famous town directly to Salma’s lineage, highlighting its significance in Israel’s history. נְטוֹפָתִי (Netophathites, transliteration: "Netofati") refers to people from Netophah, a lesser-known town near Bethlehem. This shows the chronicler’s care in preserving even smaller family groups. מַנַּחְתִּי (Manahethites, transliteration: "Manachti") and צֹרִי (Zorites, transliteration: "Tzori") are names of clans or groups, not just individuals, emphasizing the broader family networks within Judah.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 2:54 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse helps clarify the origins of several important towns and clans, showing how they fit into Judah’s family tree and why they mattered to later generations. By connecting Bethlehem to Salma, the chronicler sets up a genealogical link that becomes important for understanding the ancestry of King David and, in Christian tradition, Jesus. The verse also demonstrates the chronicler’s attention to detail, preserving the names of smaller groups (like the Netophathites and Zorites) that might otherwise be forgotten, showing the value placed on every part of the community.

1 Chronicles 2:54 (KJV)