And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.

1 CHRONICLES 7:18KJV
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1 Chronicles 7:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 7:18 mean?

1 Chronicles 7:18 records that Hammoleketh, the sister of someone mentioned earlier in the genealogy, gave birth to three sons: Ishod, Abiezer, and Mahalah. This verse is part of a larger list tracing the descendants of the tribe of Manasseh.

The verse appears in a section where the chronicler is carefully listing family lines, likely for the purpose of establishing tribal identities and inheritance rights among the Israelites. By mentioning Hammoleketh and her children, the text highlights the importance of even less prominent family members in the broader story of Israel’s tribes.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 7:18

  • The word for "sister" is אֲחוֹת (ʾachot), which simply means a female sibling. Its use here shows that women, though less frequently named, played a role in the genealogies.
  • "Hammoleketh" (הַמֹּלֶכֶת, Hammoleketh) is a personal name, possibly meaning "the queen" or "the ruler," though the exact meaning is uncertain. Naming her specifically gives her a place of honor in the genealogy.
  • The verb "bare" is יָלַד (yalad), meaning "to give birth." Its use here is straightforward, showing lineage through Hammoleketh.
  • The names "Ishod" (אִישׁוֹד, Ishod), "Abiezer" (אֲבִיעֶזֶר, Abiezer), and "Mahalah" (מַחְלָה, Mahalah) are listed as her sons, each representing a family or clan within the tribe.

Why 1 Chronicles 7:18 matters

  • This verse reminds readers that genealogies in the Bible sometimes include women, showing their significance in Israel’s history, even if only briefly.
  • The mention of Hammoleketh and her sons connects to other biblical stories, such as Abiezer being an ancestor of Gideon, a major figure in the book of Judges.
  • Including these names helps preserve the memory of smaller family groups within the larger tribe, emphasizing that every branch of the community was valued.

Where else these words appear

“Mahalah” Hebrew H4244 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 26:33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
  • Numbers 27:1 Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah.
  • Numbers 36:11 For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons:

“Abiezer” Hebrew H44 · used in 7 verses

  • Joshua 17:2 There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.
  • Judges 8:2 And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
  • 1 Chronicles 11:28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,

“sister” Hebrew H269 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Leviticus 18:13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.
  • Job 1:4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.