1 Chronicles 2:55 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:55 mean?

1 Chronicles 2:55 lists certain families of scribes who lived in a place called Jabez, naming them as the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Suchathites, and states that these groups were Kenites descended from Hemath, who was the ancestor of the house of Rechab. This verse identifies specific clans connected to the broader tribe of Judah and highlights their heritage and occupation.

This verse appears in a genealogy section where the chronicler is recording the descendants of Judah. The focus here is on families known for being scribes—people responsible for writing and record-keeping—who were not originally Israelites but Kenites, a group with ties to Moses’ father-in-law. By naming their ancestor Hemath and linking them to the house of Rechab, the verse shows how these families became integrated into Israel’s community life.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:55

• סֹפְרִים (sōphərîm, "scribes"): This word refers to those who wrote, copied, and maintained records, a respected and specialized role in ancient society. Their mention here shows the importance of literacy and record-keeping even among groups not originally from Israel.
• קֵינִי (qēynī, "Kenites"): This term identifies these families as part of the Kenite people, a group often associated with nomadic metalworkers and with early connections to Israel through Moses’ in-laws. Their inclusion in Judah’s genealogy highlights the openness of Israel’s community to outsiders.
• רֵכָב (Rēkhāv, "Rechab"): Naming the house of Rechab ties these families to a well-known group later associated with strict traditions and loyalty to their ancestor’s commands, as seen elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:55 matters

• This verse clarifies that not all important roles in Israel, like being a scribe, were filled only by ethnic Israelites; some came from groups like the Kenites who joined Israel’s life and faith.
• By tracing these scribes back to Hemath and the house of Rechab, the chronicler connects them to a respected tradition, showing how diverse backgrounds contributed to Israel’s development.
• The verse helps explain the presence and influence of the Rechabites and Kenites in later biblical stories, grounding their identity in Israel’s early history.