Scroll Scroll

1 Chronicles 1

From Adam to Noah

1Adam, Seth, Enosh,

2Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,

3Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,

4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

The Table of Nations

5The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

6The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.

7The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

8The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

9The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.

10Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth.

11Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,

12Pathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from), and Caphtorim.

13Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, Heth,

14the Jebusite, the Amorite, the Girgashite,

15the Hivite, the Arkite, the Sinite,

16the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.

17The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.

18Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.

19To 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.

20Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

21Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

22Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,

23Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.

From Shem to Abraham

24Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,

25Eber, Peleg, Reu,

26Serug, Nahor, Terah,

27Abram (also called Abraham).

The Sons of Abraham

28The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.

29These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

30Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,

31Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.

32The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.

33The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

The Sons of Isaac

34Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.

35The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

36The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek.

37The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

38The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.

39The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister.

40The sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.

41The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

42The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.

The Kings and Chiefs of Edom

43Now 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.

44Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.

45Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

46Husham 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.

47Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

48Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.

49Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

50Baal 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.

51Then Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,

52chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,

53chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,

54chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.

1 Chronicles opens with an extensive genealogy tracing humanity from Adam through the patriarchs to the nations surrounding Israel. The Chronicler systematically records the lineages of Noah's sons, emphasizing how all nations descended from common ancestors, before focusing on the line leading to Abraham and his descendants. This genealogical foundation establishes God's sovereignty over all peoples while highlighting Israel's special place in His redemptive plan through the chosen lineage.

Context

This genealogical introduction sets the historical foundation for Chronicles' focus on David's dynasty and the temple, establishing Israel's place among the nations.

Key Themes

Outline

  • 1-4
    From Adam to Noah Lists the ten generations from creation's first man to the flood's survivor
  • 5-16
    The Table of Nations Chronicles the descendants of Noah's three sons who populated the earth after the flood
  • 17-27
    From Shem to Abraham Traces the genealogical line through Shem's descendants to reach Abraham
  • 28-33
    The Sons of Abraham Records Abraham's children through Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah, including Ishmael's twelve sons
  • 34-37
    The Sons of Isaac Lists the descendants of Esau and briefly mentions Israel
  • 38-54
    The Clans and Kings of Edom Details the tribal leaders and monarchs who ruled Edom before Israel had kings

From Adam to Noah

1:1–1:4
genealogy narration solemn

A genealogical record tracing the lineage from Adam through Noah and his sons. This establishes the foundational human ancestry and God's preservation of humanity through the flood.

person_contrast

Adam's placement at the head of Israel's genealogical record transforms him from Genesis's fallen figure into the foundational ancestor of God's chosen people.

The Table of Nations

1:5–1:23
genealogy narration contemplative

The table of nations showing how Noah's sons populated the earth after the flood. This demonstrates God's plan for populating the world and the origins of various peoples and nations.

person_contrast

Shelah appears among Ham's descendants here as a geographical founder rather than in his typical role as Judah's son in Israel's genealogy, creating a rare biblical name duplication across different lineages.

From Shem to Abraham

1:24–1:27
genealogy narration contemplative

The genealogical line from Shem to Abraham, tracing the ancestry of God's chosen people. This connects the post-flood world to the beginning of God's covenant relationship with Abraham.

person_contrast

Shem transforms from Noah's righteous son preserving humanity into the genealogical bridge linking universal judgment with God's particular covenant promise to Abraham.

The Sons of Abraham

1:28–1:33
genealogy narration contemplative

The descendants of Abraham through Isaac, Ishmael, and Keturah, showing the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham a father of many nations. This establishes the broader family lineage beyond the covenant line through Isaac.

person_contrast

Abraham's genealogy uniquely lists all his sons—through Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah—demonstrating God's promise that he would father "many nations," not just the covenant line.

The Sons of Isaac

1:34–1:42
genealogy narration solemn

A genealogical record tracing the descendants of Isaac through his sons Esau and Israel, including the lineages of Esau's sons and the sons of Seir. This passage establishes the family lines that would become the Edomite peoples.

person_contrast

Abraham appears here solely as Isaac's father without any mention of covenant or divine promises, reducing the patriarch to a genealogical link in Israel's tribal memory.

The Kings and Chiefs of Edom

1:43–1:54
genealogy narration solemn

A chronological list of the kings who ruled in Edom before Israel had kings, followed by the chiefs of Edom. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and provides historical context for Israel's later monarchy.

geographic

Dinhabah stands as the sole biblical mention of Bela's royal city, highlighting how Israel's chronicler preserved even obscure Edomite capitals in sacred history.

Insights

Insight Character Study

Adam's placement at the head of Israel's genealogical record transforms him from Genesis's fallen figure into the foundational ancestor of God's chosen people.

Insight Character Study

Shelah appears among Ham's descendants here as a geographical founder rather than in his typical role as Judah's son in Israel's genealogy, creating a rare biblical name duplication across different lineages.

Insight Character Study

Shem transforms from Noah's righteous son preserving humanity into the genealogical bridge linking universal judgment with God's particular covenant promise to Abraham.

Insight Character Study

Abraham's genealogy uniquely lists all his sons—through Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah—demonstrating God's promise that he would father "many nations," not just the covenant line.

Insight Character Study

Abraham appears here solely as Isaac's father without any mention of covenant or divine promises, reducing the patriarch to a genealogical link in Israel's tribal memory.

Insight Geography

Dinhabah stands as the sole biblical mention of Bela's royal city, highlighting how Israel's chronicler preserved even obscure Edomite capitals in sacred history.

Cross-References

Connected passages across Scripture

1 Chronicles 1:21 1 reference

1 Chronicles 1:22 1 reference

Interlinear

Word-by-word original language

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Historical Context

Places and events in this chapter

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