Bible Commentaries

Analysis and Annotations

I. THE GENEALOGIES

1. From Adam to the Edomites

CHAPTER 1

1. Adam to Noah (1 Chronicles 1:1-4)

2. The sons of Japheth (1 Chronicles 1:5-7)

3. The sons of Ham (1 Chronicles 1:8-16)

4. The sons of Shem (1 Chronicles 1:17-23)

5. From Shem to Abraham (1 Chronicles 1:24-27)

6. Ishmael and his sons (1 Chronicles 1:28-31)

7. Abraham’s sons from Keturah (1 Chronicles 1:32-33)

8. The sons of Isaac (1 Chronicles 1:34)

9. The sons of Esau (1 Chronicles 1:35-42)

10. The kings and dukes of Edom (1 Chronicles 1:43-54)

The nine chapters of genealogical tables is the largest collection of Hebrew names in the Bible. These names are full of the deepest interest, as they often bear in their meaning a message. We have pointed out this fact many times in the annotations of the preceding books. Here is unquestionably a mine of great wealth for the diligent searcher: many lessons connected with these names have been but little understood. (A good concordance or dictionary of these names and their meaning is needed for such research.) The names given in this chapter are all found in the book of Genesis (chapters 5, 10, 11, 25 and 36.) The ten generations before the flood, ending with Noah begin the list. The descendants of Cain are not mentioned. Then follow the names of the offspring of Noah’s sons, Japheth, Ham and Shem. Fourteen nations descended from Japheth; thirty-one from Ham and twenty-six from Shem. No person is able to trace all these races in history, but He who has recorded their names knows also their history and their wanderings. And so He knows all His creatures. But above all does He know His own people by name.

Shem’s line is followed to Abraham, the father of the nation. The sons of Abraham are mentioned first as Isaac and Ishmael, not in their right order, Ishmael preceding Isaac. The sons of Ishmael are therefore given first, as well as the sons which Abraham had from Keturah. Then follows the statement, “And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel” (verse 34). Esau’s sons and descendants are given before the sons of Israel; those we find in the second chapter. Then follows the list of the kings and dukes (or chiefs) of Edom. King Jobab (verse 44) is considered by some to be Job and that he ruled in Dinhabah (Genesis 36:32).