And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.

1 CHRONICLES 4:39KJV
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1 Chronicles 4:39 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:39 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:39 describes a group of people traveling to the entrance of a place called Gedor, reaching the eastern side of a valley, in search of good pastureland for their flocks. The verse highlights their movement and purpose: they are seeking new grazing areas for their animals.

This verse is part of a larger genealogy and historical account in 1 Chronicles, where the chronicler records the movements and settlements of the descendants of Judah. The people mentioned here are likely the Simeonites, who are looking for new land because their previous territory could not support all their livestock. The verse gives a glimpse into the practical concerns of ancient tribes, such as finding enough resources for their animals.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:39

  • "went" (יָלַךְ, yalak): This word often means to go or walk, and here it emphasizes the deliberate journey the group undertakes in search of pasture.
  • "entrance" (מָבוֹא, mavo'): This term can mean an entryway or access point, suggesting they reached a significant boundary or gateway to the region of Gedor.
  • "pasture" (מִרְעֶה, mir'eh): This word refers to grazing land, highlighting that the group's main concern was finding suitable land to feed their flocks.
  • "flocks" (צֹאן, tson): This term specifically means sheep or small livestock, clarifying that the journey was motivated by the need to care for these animals.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:39 matters

  • This verse shows the practical realities faced by ancient tribes, such as the need to move and find new resources when current land could not support their animals.
  • The mention of specific locations and directions (like Gedor and the east side of the valley) adds historical and geographical detail, grounding the genealogy in real places and events.
  • By including the search for pasture, the chronicler connects the story of these people to the broader biblical theme of God’s provision and the challenges of living in the land.

Where else these words appear

“Gedor” Hebrew H1446 · used in 7 verses

  • Joshua 15:58 Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,
  • 1 Chronicles 4:18 And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:37 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.

“pasture” Hebrew H4829 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 47:4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
  • Job 39:8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
  • Ezekiel 34:14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

“entrance” Hebrew H3996 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • 2 Kings 16:18 And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.
  • Jeremiah 38:14 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.

“valley” Hebrew H1516 · used in 54 verses

  • Numbers 21:20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
  • 1 Chronicles 18:12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
  • Jeremiah 2:23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;