Bible Commentaries

sons = descendants.

Hur, and Shobal. These were sons of Caleb, the son of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:18, 1 Chronicles 2:20, 1 Chronicles 2:50, 1 Chronicles 2:52).

Zorathites. See 1 Chronicles 2:53.

these were of. Some codices, with Septuagint, read "these were the sons of".

father: or lord, or prince. See note on 1 Chronicles 2:42.

Ashur. A son of Hezron. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:24.

Ethnan. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis thus: "Eth-nan, and Coz, [and Coz] begat Annb". Compare 1 Chronicles 4:13.

more honourable. Perhaps his going up with Caleb and Othniel against the Canaanites is referred to. See Judges 1:2, Judges 1:4, Judges 1:9-15. Joshua 15:13-19.

Jabez. The transposition of letters in Hebrew may intimate a change of experiences, and mean "may he have pain or grief reversed. "

with sorrow. Compare Genesis 3:16 (same word).

the God of Israel (Hebrew. Elohim. App-4). A suitable title and prayer before going on the expedition.

Israel. The nation as descended from him for whom God orders all. See notes on Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:6; Genesis 45:26, Genesis 45:28.

coast = border or boundary.

grieve = pain. Note Figure of speech Aposiopesis. App-6. No conclusion to his prayer.

Hathath. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6) thus: "Hathath and Meonothai [and Meonothai] begat Ophrah".

valley of Charashim = Ge-harashim, the name of the place.

Caleb the son of Jephunneh. Not the son of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:18).

Jehudijah = the Jewess.

Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh. Is Bithiah the same as Jehudijah, and did she turn a Jewess? Mered was evidently a man of position.

Hodiah. The Jehudijah of 1 Chronicles 4:18.

fine linen: or byssus, a fine white Egyptian linen.

had the dominion: or became lords to Moab.

Jashubi-lehem. The Vulgate renders it "and returned to Beth-lehem", like Naomi and Ruth (1 Chronicles 1:1-4, 1 Chronicles 1:19).

things: or records.

those that dwelt, &c. The inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera.

children = sons.

Beer-sheba. Compare Joshua 19:2-5.

Ziklag. Given later to David by the Philistines (1 Samuel 27:6).

unto the reign of David. The Codex Hilleli, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read "unto king David".

Baal. Another name for Baalath-beer in Joshua 19:8.

their genealogy: or, "and they had their own genealogical register. "

written by name: i.e. in the foregoing list.

the habitations = Maonites, or Mehumims (2 Chronicles 26:7). Compare 1 Chronicles 20:1 and Judges 10:12.

five hundred. If these could accomplish such things, what could not the whole of Israel have done? Compare 1 Chronicles 4:10 with 1 Chronicles 5:20.

the rest of the Amalekites. Not all destroyed in 1 Samuel 15:8. A number survived. Compare 1 Samuel 27:8; 1 Samuel 30:1. 2 Samuel 8:12. Esther 3:1. See note on Exodus 17:16.

unto this day. Evidently not disturbed by the king of Babylon in the deportation of Israel.