These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.

1 CHRONICLES 3:9KJV
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1 Chronicles 3:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 3:9 mean?

1 Chronicles 3:9 lists all the sons of King David, noting that this count does not include the sons born to his concubines, and it also mentions Tamar as their sister. The verse is part of a genealogy, clarifying David’s children by his wives and concubines.

This verse comes from a section where the writer is recording the descendants of David for the people of Israel. The mention of Tamar, David’s daughter, is unusual in a list focused on sons, which highlights her significance. The verse also distinguishes between the sons of David’s wives and those of his concubines, showing the complexity of David’s family.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 3:9

  • בֵּן (ben; H1121): This word means "son." It appears twice in this verse, emphasizing the focus on male descendants, which was typical in ancient genealogies.
  • פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pilegesh; H6370): This word means "concubine." Its use here clarifies that David had children by women who were not his primary wives, a common practice for kings in that era.
  • תָּמָר (Tamar; H8559): This is the name of David’s daughter. Her mention by name, when most daughters are not listed in such genealogies, suggests her particular importance or the notable events connected to her life.
  • אָחוֹת (achot; H269): This word means "sister." It identifies Tamar’s relationship to the sons, making clear she is part of the same immediate family group.

Why 1 Chronicles 3:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David’s family included children from both wives and concubines, which helps explain the later conflicts and complexities in his household.
  • Tamar’s inclusion in a list of sons draws attention to her unique story, which is told in more detail elsewhere in the Bible, and signals her significance in David’s family history.
  • By listing these details, the genealogy sets the stage for understanding the succession issues and family dynamics that shaped Israel’s royal history.

Where else these words appear

“Tamar” Hebrew H8559 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
  • 2 Samuel 13:4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
  • 2 Samuel 13:20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

“concubines” Hebrew H6370 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 22:24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.
  • Judges 19:27 And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.
  • 2 Samuel 20:3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.

“sister” Hebrew H269 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Leviticus 18:13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.
  • Job 1:4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.