The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

1 CHRONICLES 5:3KJV
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1 Chronicles 5:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 5:3 mean?

1 Chronicles 5:3 lists the sons of Reuben, who was the firstborn son of Israel (Jacob): Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. This verse is part of a genealogy, simply recording the direct descendants of Reuben.

The writer of 1 Chronicles is documenting the family lines of the tribes of Israel, and here, he is focusing on Reuben’s descendants. The verse is not making a theological point but is instead preserving the names and order of Reuben’s sons for historical and tribal records.

Why 1 Chronicles 5:3 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the family structure of the tribe of Reuben, which is important for understanding later references to these families in Israel’s history.
  • By naming Reuben as the firstborn of Israel, the verse reminds readers of his original status, even though later passages explain why he lost his birthright.
  • The genealogy connects to the broader context of 1 Chronicles, which aims to establish the heritage and identity of the tribes after the exile.

Where else these words appear

“Pallu” Hebrew H6396 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 46:9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
  • Exodus 6:14 These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben.
  • Numbers 26:5 Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:

“Carmi” Hebrew H3756 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 46:9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
  • Numbers 26:6 Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
  • Joshua 7:18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

“Hanoch” Hebrew H2585 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 4:17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
  • Genesis 5:21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
  • Genesis 46:9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.

“Hezron” Hebrew H2696 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 46:9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
  • Joshua 15:3 And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:
  • 1 Chronicles 2:9 The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him; Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai.