And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.

1 CHRONICLES 4:19KJV
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1 Chronicles 4:19 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:19 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:19 lists descendants connected to Hodiah’s wife, who was the sister of Naham, and mentions the father of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maachathite. This verse is part of a genealogy, tracing family lines within the tribe of Judah.

This verse appears in a long section where the writer of 1 Chronicles is recording family histories for the people of Israel, specifically Judah’s descendants. The verse names individuals and their family connections, showing how different clans and groups within Judah were related. These details helped ancient readers understand their heritage and the relationships between various families in their community.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:19

  • הַגַּרְמִי (ha-Garmi, "Garmite"): This word identifies someone from the clan or family of Garmi. The use of this term shows that Keilah was not just a personal name but also linked to a larger family group, which helped define social identity.
  • אֵשְׁתְּמוֹעַ (Eshtemoa) and הַמַּעֲכָתִי (ha-Maachathi, "Maachathite"): Eshtemoa is a place name, and Maachathite refers to someone from Maachah. These terms show that the genealogy includes both people and places, connecting families to specific regions or towns.
  • אִשָּׁה (ishah, "wife") and אָב (av, "father"): The mention of "wife" and "father" highlights the importance of both maternal and paternal lines in these records, showing that the chronicler sometimes traces descent through women as well as men.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:19 matters

  • This verse highlights how the chronicler sometimes includes women and maternal connections in genealogies, which was less common but significant for understanding family ties.
  • The mention of specific places and family groups, like the Garmite and Maachathite, helps readers see how different clans within Judah were connected to particular regions, shaping the social and tribal landscape.
  • By carefully recording these relationships, the chronicler was preserving the identity and history of Judah’s families after the exile, helping later generations know where they came from.

Where else these words appear

“Eshtemoa” Hebrew H851 · used in 6 verses

  • Joshua 15:50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
  • Joshua 21:14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,
  • 1 Chronicles 4:17 And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

“Maachathite” Hebrew H4602 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.
  • Joshua 13:11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
  • 2 Samuel 23:34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

“Keilah” Hebrew H7084 · used in 16 verses

  • Joshua 15:44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
  • 1 Samuel 23:5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
  • 1 Samuel 23:11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.

“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.