1 Chronicles 4:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 4:5 mean?

1 Chronicles 4:5 states that Ashur, who is identified as the father of Tekoa, had two wives named Helah and Naarah. This verse is part of a genealogical record, simply noting Ashur’s family structure and the names of his wives.

This verse appears in a long list of descendants within the tribe of Judah, where the chronicler is recording family lines and notable ancestors. Ashur is mentioned as the founder or ancestor of the people of Tekoa, a town in Judah, and the verse distinguishes his two wives, which may set up further details about their children in the verses that follow.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 4:5

• אַשּׁוּר (Ashur): This is the personal name of the ancestor being discussed. The name is distinct from the nation of Assyria and here refers to a specific individual tied to Judah’s genealogy.
• תְּקוֹעַ (Tekoa): This is the name of a town in Judah, and calling Ashur the "father" (אָב, av) of Tekoa means he is considered the founder or leading ancestor of that settlement.
• נַעֲרָה (Naarah): This name means "young woman" or "maiden" in Hebrew, which may be a meaningful or symbolic name for Ashur’s second wife.

Why 1 Chronicles 4:5 matters

• This verse clarifies that Ashur’s descendants are linked to the town of Tekoa, helping trace the origins of families and settlements within Judah.
• Mentioning both wives by name may indicate that their children or lineages are significant in the following verses, highlighting the importance of both maternal lines in the genealogy.
• The verse helps set the stage for understanding the structure and relationships within the tribe of Judah, which is a major focus of the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles.