1 Chronicles 9:38 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 9:38 mean?

1 Chronicles 9:38 records that Mikloth was the father of Shimeam, and notes that they and their relatives lived together in Jerusalem, near their other family members. This verse is part of a genealogical list, showing the family connections and where these descendants settled.

The verse comes from a section where the chronicler is listing the descendants of Benjamin and their places of residence after the Babylonian exile. The focus is on tracing family lines and showing how these families were reestablished in Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of family ties and continuity in the restored community.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 9:38

• יָלַד (yalad, "begat"): This word means "to father" or "to bring forth," emphasizing the direct parent-child relationship between Mikloth and Shimeam.
• יָשַׁב (yashav, "dwelt"): This verb means "to dwell" or "to settle," and here it highlights that these families were not just related by blood but also lived together in close proximity in Jerusalem.
• אַח (ach, "brethren"): This word means "brothers" or "relatives," and its repetition in the verse underscores the close-knit nature of these family groups living side by side.

Why 1 Chronicles 9:38 matters

• This verse helps clarify the continuity of the tribe of Benjamin in Jerusalem after the exile, showing that specific families returned and settled together.
• It emphasizes the importance of family and community ties in the post-exilic period, which was crucial for rebuilding both the city and the identity of the people.
• The verse connects to the larger genealogical lists in Chronicles, which aim to show the legitimacy and rootedness of the returned exiles in the land and their ancestral heritage.