1 Chronicles 4:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:1 lists the sons of Judah: Pharez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. This verse introduces a section of genealogies by naming key descendants from the tribe of Judah, which was one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Book of 1 Chronicles was written to the people of Israel, likely after their return from exile, to remind them of their heritage and identity. This verse sets the stage for a detailed record of Judah’s family line, which is important because Judah’s descendants played a central role in Israel’s history, including the line of King David.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:1

• יְהוּדָה (Yehudah; Judah): This name refers to the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, and the tribe that descended from him. Judah’s tribe became the leading tribe in southern Israel and was the royal line.
• פֶּרֶץ (Peretz; Pharez): The name means “breach” or “bursting forth,” and Pharez was an ancestor of King David. His inclusion highlights the royal lineage.
• חֶצְרוֹן (Chetzron; Hezron): Hezron is another key ancestor in Judah’s line, and his descendants formed important family groups within the tribe.
• כַּרְמִי (Karmi; Carmi), חוּר (Chur; Hur), שׁוֹבָל (Shoval; Shobal): These names represent other significant family heads within Judah, showing the diversity and structure of the tribe.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:1 matters

• This verse clarifies the main family branches within the tribe of Judah, which helps readers track the lineage leading to important biblical figures like David.
• By starting with Judah’s sons, the chronicler emphasizes the tribe’s foundational role in Israel’s history, especially since Judah’s line produced kings.
• Understanding these names and their place in the genealogy helps make sense of later passages that refer back to these family groups and their territories.