1 Chronicles 4:27 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:27 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:27 reports that Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, and their whole family did not grow as much as the descendants of Judah. This verse highlights a contrast in family size within the tribe, noting that Shimei’s line was unusually large compared to his relatives.

This verse is part of a genealogical record in 1 Chronicles, where the writer is listing descendants from the tribe of Simeon. The focus here is on Shimei’s family, showing that while he had many children, his brothers’ lines were much smaller, and overall, the family did not multiply like the larger and more prominent tribe of Judah. The verse helps explain why the tribe of Simeon remained smaller in number.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:27

• "Sons" (בֵּן, ben): This word refers to male children or descendants. The verse specifically counts Shimei’s male offspring, which was significant for inheritance and tribal records.
• "Multiply" (רָבָה, rabah): This word means to become numerous or to increase. The verse uses it to compare the growth of Shimei’s family and the wider Simeonite clan to the much greater multiplication of the tribe of Judah.
• "Family" (מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpachah): This word means an extended family or clan. Its use here emphasizes that the whole group, not just immediate children, was smaller in size compared to Judah’s families.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:27 matters

• This verse clarifies why the tribe of Simeon was less numerous and influential than Judah, which is important for understanding later events and land allotments in Israel’s history.
• The contrast between Shimei’s large family and his brothers’ small ones shows that individual family lines could vary greatly, even within the same tribe.
• The verse connects to the broader genealogical purpose of 1 Chronicles, which is to trace the growth and significance of Israel’s tribes, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses in their histories.