And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks.

1 CHRONICLES 4:41KJV
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1 Chronicles 4:41 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:41 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:41 describes a group of people, identified by name, who came during the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and attacked those living in tents and settlements in a certain area. They completely destroyed these inhabitants and took over their land because it had good pasture for their flocks.

This verse is part of a genealogy listing in 1 Chronicles, giving historical details about the descendants of Simeon. The verse explains a specific event where these descendants expanded their territory by force during King Hezekiah’s time, motivated by the need for better grazing land for their animals.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:41

  • חֲנִיּוֹת (ḥaniyyot, "tents") and מִשְׁכָּנוֹת (mishkanot, "habitations"): These words show that the people attacked were living in temporary or semi-permanent dwellings, suggesting a nomadic or pastoral lifestyle.
  • הִכּוּ (hikkû, "smote") and הַשְׁמִידוּ (hashmidu, "destroyed"): These verbs emphasize the thoroughness of the attack—the group did not just drive the others out but completely destroyed them, making it clear the takeover was total.
  • מִרְעֶה (mir‘eh, "pasture"): This word highlights the practical reason for the conquest—the land was valuable because it provided good grazing for flocks, which was essential for these people’s livelihood.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:41 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the expansion of the Simeonites’ territory was not peaceful but involved violent conflict and displacement of previous inhabitants.
  • The mention of Hezekiah, king of Judah, helps date the event and connects it to a known period in Israel’s history, grounding the genealogy in real events.
  • The focus on pasture for flocks shows how practical needs, like finding good grazing land, often drove historical movements and conflicts in the biblical world.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“habitations” Hebrew H4583 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Psalms 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
  • Jeremiah 25:30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H3169 · used in 42 verses

  • 2 Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

“destroyed” Hebrew H2763 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
  • Joshua 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
  • 1 Samuel 15:18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.