1 Chronicles 3:19 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 3:19 mean?

1 Chronicles 3:19 lists the descendants of Pedaiah, naming his sons Zerubbabel and Shimei, and then gives the children of Zerubbabel: Meshullam, Hananiah, and their sister Shelomith. This verse is part of a genealogical record, tracing family lines within the tribe of Judah.

The verse appears in a section where the writer of 1 Chronicles is carefully recording the descendants of King David, likely for the returned exiles in Jerusalem. Zerubbabel is a particularly important figure because he later leads the Jewish people back from Babylonian exile and oversees the rebuilding of the temple, making his family line significant in Jewish history.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 3:19

• בְּנֵי (benê, H1121) — "sons": This word is used both for Pedaiah's sons and Zerubbabel's sons, emphasizing the family structure and generational links that are central to the genealogy.
• זְרֻבָּבֶל (Zerubbabel, H2216): The name means "seed of Babylon" or "born in Babylon," which hints at his birth during the exile and his later role in the return to Jerusalem.
• אֲחוֹתָם (achotam, H269) — "their sister": The mention of Shelomith as a sister is notable, as women are not always listed in genealogies unless they have particular significance.

Why 1 Chronicles 3:19 matters

• This verse helps clarify the lineage from David through the exile, showing how the royal line continued even during difficult times.
• The mention of Zerubbabel connects the genealogical record to later historical events, especially the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple.
• Including Shelomith as a named sister suggests her family had some special importance, which may be relevant for understanding later references or roles in the biblical narrative.