Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 2:42
The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and Mareshah his second son, who was the father of Hebron.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — This is a genealogical entry in 1 Chronicles 2 listing the descendants of Caleb, who is explicitly identified as the brother of Jerahmeel. The Chronicler places this record between the line of Shallum and the sons of Hebron.
The words — The text uses בְּכֹרֹוֹ (bekhorō), literally "his firstborn," to mark Mesha as the primary heir in the list. It also employs אֲבִי (avi), meaning "father of," to state that Mesha begat Ziph and Mareshah begat Hebron.
The thread — This family line connects to the territorial records in Joshua 15:24, which lists Ziph among the Judahite towns. The emphasis on firstborn status aligns with the inheritance patterns documented in Genesis 49:3 and Exodus 4:22.
Why it lands — The verse functions as a structural record of tribal ancestry, requiring the reader to track lineage without adding theological commentary. It establishes family connections that later determine territorial inheritance and leadership within Judah.
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
King James Version
Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were, Mesha his firstborn, which was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
Cross-references
- Genesis 49:3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
- Exodus 4:22 Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,
- Joshua 15:24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
- 1 Samuel 23:19 Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?
- 1 Samuel 26:1 Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”
- 1 Chronicles 2:18 Caleb son of Hezron had children by his wife Azubah and by Jerioth. These were the sons of Azubah: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.
- 1 Chronicles 2:23 But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 2:45 The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth-zur.
- 1 Chronicles 2:49 She was also the mother of Shaaph father of Madmannah, and of Sheva father of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Acsah.
- 1 Chronicles 2:52 These were the descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim: Haroeh, half the Manahathites,