1 Chronicles 1
1 Chronicles 1 organizes part of the genealogies of the entire Bible and continues the line of ancestry from the beginning of humankind to the ancestors of Israel. By presenting the genealogies of Genesis in a condensed way, this chapter emphasizes that the identity of the Israelite people—and their roots—are grounded in God’s covenant promises.
1verseAdam, Seth, Enosh,
2verseKenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
3verseEnoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4verseNoah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5verseThe sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
6verseThe sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.
7verseThe sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
8verseThe sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
9verseThe sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
10verseCush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth.
11verseMizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,
12versePathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from), and Caphtorim.
13verseCanaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, Heth,
14versethe Jebusite, the Amorite, the Girgashite,
15versethe Hivite, the Arkite, the Sinite,
16versethe Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
17verseThe sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
18verseArpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
19verseTo Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.
20verseJoktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
21verseHadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
22verseEbal, Abimael, Sheba,
23verseOphir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
24verseShem, Arpachshad, Shelah,
25verseEber, Peleg, Reu,
26verseSerug, Nahor, Terah,
27verseAbram (also called Abraham).
28verseThe sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
29verseThese are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
30verseMishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
31verseJetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
32verseThe sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.
33verseThe sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
34verseAbraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
35verseThe sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
36verseThe sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek.
37verseThe sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38verseThe sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
39verseThe sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister.
40verseThe sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
41verseThe son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
42verseThe sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
43verseNow these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44verseBela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
45verseJobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
46verseHusham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.
47verseHadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
48verseSamlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.
49verseShaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
50verseBaal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
51verseThen Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
52versechief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
53versechief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
54versechief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-4: Genealogy from Adam to Noah and his three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth)
- Verses 5-27: The descendants of each son (Japheth, Ham, and Shem) and the nations that came from them
- Verses 28-34: The genealogy of Shem leading up to Abraham, and the descendants of Abraham’s sons (Ishmael and Isaac)
- Verses 35-54: Genealogy of the family line of Esau (Edom) and the rulers of the land of Edom
Overall Meaning and Message
The genealogies in this chapter look beyond being a mere record of lineage, shedding light on how God’s work moves through all of humankind. It also suggests that God’s concern and plan reach every nation—not only Israel, but also the surrounding peoples (Japheth, Ham, Edom, etc.). Ultimately, it emphasizes that the story of Israel itself is part of universal human history.
Points for Reflection
- You can reflect on the fact that the beginnings of humankind and history unfold under God’s sovereignty.
- It’s worth remembering that each nation and each people is within God’s broad plan.
Applying It to Yourself
- Remember that your existence and your roots are located within God’s great story, and you can also strive to make your life today begin from that meaning.
- Not only you, but also the people around you—those from a variety of backgrounds—are all within God’s concern and plan. With an open mindset, adopt an attitude of treating your neighbors.
