And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things.

1 CHRONICLES 4:22KJV
truelightbible.com

1 Chronicles 4:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:22 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:22 lists several individuals—Jokim, the men of Chozeba, Joash, Saraph (who ruled in Moab), and Jashubilehem—and then notes that these are ancient events or people. The verse highlights that these names and stories belong to a much earlier time.

This verse appears in a long genealogy, where the writer is recording the descendants of Judah for the people of Israel. The mention of "dominion in Moab" suggests that some of these figures had influence outside of Israel, and the phrase "these are ancient things" signals that the details come from very old traditions or records.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:22

  • "dominion" (וַיִּמְשְׁלוּ, vayyimshĕlū, from H1166): This word means to rule or have authority. Its use here shows that Joash and Saraph were not just ordinary men but had leadership roles, specifically in Moab, which was a neighboring nation.
  • "ancient" (עַתִּיקִים, attiqim, from H6267): This word means "ancient" or "old." The verse uses it to emphasize that the people and events being described are from a distant past, possibly from stories or records that were already old when this genealogy was written.
  • "things" (דְּבָרִים, devarim, from H1697): This word often means "words," "matters," or "events." Here, it refers to the stories or events connected to these names, underlining that the chronicler is passing on very old information.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:22 matters

  • 1 Chronicles 4:22 shows that the chronicler is drawing from ancient sources, which helps explain why some details are brief or mysterious compared to other parts of the genealogy.
  • The mention of "dominion in Moab" hints at a time when Israelites had influence or presence outside their usual territory, suggesting a more complex history than just life within Israel.
  • This verse connects the genealogy to broader historical events and peoples, showing that the family lines of Judah interacted with other nations and that these interactions were significant enough to be remembered.