1 Chronicles 4:40 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:40 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:40 describes how a group of people found a rich and spacious land with good pasture, where everything was peaceful and quiet. The verse notes that this area had previously been inhabited by the descendants of Ham for a long time.

This verse is part of a genealogy and historical account, where the writer is telling about the movements and settlements of the tribe of Simeon. The people being described are searching for new territory, and they discover a desirable land that was once settled by another group. The mention of the land being "quiet and peaceable" highlights its appeal as a place to live.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:40

• "fat" (שָׁמֵן, shamen): This word means rich or fertile, especially in reference to land or pasture. It emphasizes that the land was especially good for grazing animals.
• "wide" (רָחָב, rachav): This word means broad or spacious, suggesting that there was plenty of room for the people and their flocks.
• "quiet" (שָׁקֵט, shaqet) and "peaceable" (שָׁלֵו, shalev): These words together stress that the land was undisturbed and safe, making it an attractive place to settle.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:40 matters

• The verse clarifies that the Simeonites were not taking over an empty or wild place, but a land that had a history of previous inhabitants, specifically those descended from Ham.
• The description of the land as "fat," "wide," "quiet," and "peaceable" shows what qualities were valued in a settlement at that time: fertility, space, and safety.
• This verse connects to the broader story of Israelite tribes seeking their own places to live, and it helps explain later developments in the region’s history.