The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.

1 CHRONICLES 4:1KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“Carmi” Hebrew H3756 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 46:9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
  • Numbers 26:6 Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
  • Joshua 7:18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

“Shobal” Hebrew H7732 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,
  • Genesis 36:29 These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,
  • 1 Chronicles 2:50 These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjathjearim,

“Pharez” Hebrew H6557 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 38:29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
  • Ruth 4:12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.

“Hur” Hebrew H2354 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 17:10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
  • Exodus 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
  • 1 Chronicles 2:20 And Hur begat Uri, and Uri begat Bezaleel.