Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 4:29 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 4:29 lists three specific places—Bilhah, Ezem, and Tolad—as part of a genealogical record. This verse is part of a larger section that details the towns and settlements associated with certain descendants of Simeon. The writer of 1 Chronicles is recording the locations where members of the tribe of Simeon lived. These place names help map out the territory and settlements of this tribe within the land of Israel. The verse is not telling a story or giving a command, but simply documenting the historical and geographical details of the Simeonite families.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:29

Accepted Answer

בִּלְהָה (Bilhah, transliterated "bilhah") is the name of a town, not to be confused with the personal name found elsewhere in the Bible. Its mention here marks a specific location tied to the Simeonites. עֶצֶם (Ezem, transliterated "etsem") is another town, and the Hebrew word often carries the sense of "bone" or "strength," though here it is just a place name. תּוֹלַד (Tolad, transliterated "tolad") is a third settlement. The word itself is rare in the Bible and only appears in genealogical or territorial lists, so its meaning is tied to its identity as a location.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 4:29 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse helps clarify the historical geography of the tribe of Simeon, showing where their descendants settled within the Promised Land. By listing these towns, the Chronicler emphasizes the distinct identity and heritage of the Simeonite families, even generations after the initial conquest. The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the careful record-keeping of Israel's tribes, which was important for understanding land rights, inheritance, and tribal boundaries.

1 Chronicles 4:29 (KJV)