1 Chronicles 1:16

the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The Chronicler compiles a genealogical and ethnographic inventory of ancient Near Eastern peoples, positioning this verse between the Hivites, Arkites, and Sinites and the subsequent listing of Shem’s descendants.

The words — The text records אַרְוָדִי ('arvadî) meaning Arvadite and חֲמָתִי (ḥamāṯî) meaning Hamathite, both prefixed with the Hebrew definite article and conjunction. These terms function as proper ethnonyms rather than descriptive titles.

The thread — This verse anchors the Hamathite group geographically, echoing Numbers 34:8 and 1 Kings 8:65 where Lebo-hamath marks a northern territorial boundary. The immediate context places these names within a broader catalog of Canaanite and post-flood tribal divisions.

Why it lands — The verse demands recognition of specific historical populations without offering theological commentary. It requires the reader to acknowledge the Chronicler’s method of mapping identity through precise ethnic enumeration.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>הָאַרְוָדִ֥יha./'ar.va.Dithe/ Arvadite[s]וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>הַצְּמָרִ֖יha./tze.ma.Rithe/ Zemarite[s]וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>הַֽחֲמָתִֽי׃ סHa./cha.ma.Tithe/ Hamathite[s]

King James Version

And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.

Cross-references

Numbers 34:8 and from Mount Hor to Lebo-hamath, then extend to Zedad,
1 Kings 8:65 So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all.