And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,

1 CHRONICLES 4:30KJV
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1 Chronicles 4:30 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:30 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:30 lists three towns—Bethuel, Hormah, and Ziklag—as part of a record of places connected to the descendants of Simeon. This verse is part of a larger genealogy that traces the families and settlements of the tribe of Simeon within the land of Judah.

The book of 1 Chronicles was written to the people of Israel, recounting their history and heritage after the exile. In this section, the chronicler is carefully listing the towns where the Simeonite families lived. These details help map out the territory and presence of the tribe of Simeon, showing their connections and settlements within the broader story of Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:30

  • בְּתוּאֵל (Bethuel, bĕthū’ēl): This name means "house of God" or "dwelling of God." Its mention here marks a specific location important to the Simeonite families.
  • חָרְמָה (Hormah, ḥormāh): The name Hormah is often understood as "devotion" or "destruction." This town had a history of conflict and significance in earlier biblical events, so its inclusion highlights the Simeonites' presence in a place with a storied past.
  • צִקְלַג (Ziklag, tsiqlag): Ziklag is a town that later became significant in the story of David. Its mention here shows that it was already an established settlement for the Simeonites before David's time.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:30 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the specific territory and settlements of the tribe of Simeon, which can be confusing since Simeon's land was within Judah's larger territory.
  • The mention of towns like Hormah and Ziklag connects the genealogy to well-known stories and events in Israel's history, grounding the genealogy in real places with historical significance.
  • By listing these towns, the chronicler emphasizes the continuity and rootedness of the Simeonite families, even after times of upheaval and exile.

Where else these words appear

“Hormah” Hebrew H2767 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
  • Deuteronomy 1:44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
  • Joshua 19:4 And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,

“Bethuel” Hebrew H1328 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 22:22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
  • Genesis 24:24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
  • Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

“Ziklag” Hebrew H6860 · used in 12 verses

  • Joshua 15:31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
  • 2 Samuel 4:10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: