Bible Commentaries

2. The Sons of Israel and the Descendants of Judah (2:1-4:23)

CHAPTER 2 From Israel to Caleb

1. The sons of Israel (1 Chronicles 2:1-2)

2. The sons of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:3-12)

3. The offspring of Jesse (1 Chronicles 2:13-17)

4. The descendants of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:18-24)

5. The descendants of Jerahmeel (1 Chronicles 2:25-41)

6. Other descendants of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:42-55)

After the twelve sons of Israel (Jacob) are named, Judah and his sons are mentioned. The entire chapter is devoted to the descendants of Judah. Judah is given the prominent place, because from this tribe the promised Messiah was to come (Genesis 49:8-12). The sons of Jesse (verses 13-17) are given, seven in number. In 1 Samuel 16:5-11; 1 Samuel 17:12-14 eight are mentioned. This is not a discrepancy. one of these sons probably died childless and his name would therefore have no place in this genealogy. Prominent in this chapter are the sons of Hezron, Jerahmeel, Ram (the Aram of Matthew 1:3) and Chelubai. The latter is Caleb. Caleb is here given as a son of Hezron. Is this the same Caleb who was one of the spies, the son of Jephunneh (Numbers 13:6; Numbers 13:30; Numbers 14:6; Numbers 14:24, etc)? Critics claim that he is the son of Jephunneh and pointed this out as one of the inaccuracies. However, it is impossible that Caleb the son of Hezron, could be identical with Caleb, the son of Jephunneh. Caleb the son of Hezron was the great-grandfather of Bezaleel (verses 19-20), who was selected with Aholiab to do the work in connection with the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2). He must therefore have been the ancestor of Caleb the son of Jephunneh. And furthermore, Caleb the son of Jephunneh is mentioned in Chapter 4:15. That in verse 49 a daughter of Caleb (Achsah) is mentioned is not sufficient proof that the son of Jephunneh is meant.