And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.

1 CHRONICLES 3:21KJV
Know the Bible

1 Chronicles 3:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 3:21 mean?

1 Chronicles 3:21 lists the descendants of Hananiah, naming his sons Pelatiah and Jesaiah, and then continues by mentioning the sons of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shechaniah. This verse is part of a genealogical record tracing the family line of David.

The writer of 1 Chronicles is carefully documenting the royal lineage for the people of Israel, showing how David’s family continued through generations. The verse is not telling a story but recording names to preserve the history and identity of the nation, especially important for those returning from exile who needed to know their heritage.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 3:21

  • The word for "sons" is בְּנֵי (benê, H1121), which means male descendants or children. Its repeated use marks the structure of the genealogy, showing each generation’s continuation.
  • The names Hananiah (חֲנַנְיָה, ḥănanyāh, H2608), Pelatiah (פְּלַטְיָה, pelatyāh, H6410), Jesaiah (יְשַׁעְיָה, yəša‘yāh, H3470), Rephaiah (רְפָיָה, rəpāyāh, H7509), Arnan (אַרְנָן, ’arnān, H770), Obadiah (עֹבַדְיָה, ‘ōvadyāh, H5662), and Shechaniah (שְׁכַנְיָה, šəḵanyāh, H7935) are all personal names, each with a meaning that often includes a reference to God or a quality like "Yahweh has been gracious" (Hananiah) or "Yahweh saves" (Jesaiah). These names reflect the faith and hopes of the families.

Why 1 Chronicles 3:21 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the specific branches of David’s family tree, which was crucial for establishing legitimate leadership and priesthood roles in Israel’s history.
  • The careful listing of names shows the Chronicler’s concern for accuracy and continuity, especially for a community rebuilding its identity after exile.
  • By connecting these names to earlier and later generations, the verse ties the story of Israel’s past to its present, reminding readers of their shared heritage and God’s ongoing involvement with their people.

Where else these words appear

“Pelatiah” Hebrew H6410 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:42 And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
  • Nehemiah 10:22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
  • Ezekiel 11:1 Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

“Rephaiah” Hebrew H7509 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:42 And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:2 And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:43 And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.

“Shechaniah” Hebrew H7935 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:22 And the sons of Shechaniah; Shemaiah: and the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
  • Ezra 8:3 Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.
  • Nehemiah 3:29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.

“Obadiah” Hebrew H5662 · used in 19 verses

  • 1 Kings 18:3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house.(Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
  • 1 Chronicles 7:3 And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.