1 Chronicles 3:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 3:15 mean?

1 Chronicles 3:15 lists the sons of King Josiah, naming them in order: Johanan as the firstborn, Jehoiakim as the second, Zedekiah as the third, and Shallum as the fourth. This verse is part of a genealogical record, showing Josiah’s direct descendants.

The book of 1 Chronicles was written to document the lineage of Israel’s kings and important families, especially after the exile. Here, the chronicler is simply recording the names and birth order of Josiah’s sons, which helps trace the royal line and understand the succession of kings during a turbulent period in Judah’s history.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 3:15

• בֵּן (ben; H1121): This word means "son." Its use here emphasizes the direct father-son relationship between Josiah and each of the four named sons, which is important for understanding royal succession.
• בְּכוֹר (bekhor; H1060): This means "firstborn." In ancient Israel, the firstborn son often had special status or inheritance rights, so noting Johanan as the firstborn highlights his position in the family.
• שֵׁנִי (sheni; H8145), שְׁלִישִׁי (shelishi; H7992), רְבִיעִי (revi'i; H7243): These words mean "second," "third," and "fourth," respectively. Listing the sons by these numbers makes the order of birth clear, which matters for understanding the sequence of royal heirs.

Why 1 Chronicles 3:15 matters

• This verse clarifies the family structure of Josiah, an important king of Judah, and helps explain the later succession of kings, some of whom are mentioned elsewhere in the Bible with different names or titles.
• By listing the sons in order, the chronicler helps readers track the royal lineage, which is especially important for understanding the historical context of Judah’s last kings before the Babylonian exile.
• The verse also helps clear up confusion about the identities of Josiah’s sons, since some are known by more than one name in different biblical books.