1 Chronicles — Chapter 1
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1Adam, Sheth, Enosh,
2Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,
3Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
6And the sons of Gomer; Ashchenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
7And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
8The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
9And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raamah, and Sabtecha. And the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
10And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth.
11And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Napthtuhim,
12And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (of whom came the Philistines,) and Caphthorim.
13And Canaan begat Zidon his firstborn, and Heth,
14The Jebusite also, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,
15And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
16And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
17The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
18And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber.
19And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother’s name was Joktan.
20And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
21Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah,
22And Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
23And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
24Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,
25Eber, Peleg, Reu,
26Serug, Nahor, Terah,
27Abram; the same is Abraham.
28The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael.
29These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
30Mishma and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
31Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
32Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.
33And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these are the sons of Keturah.
34And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel.
35The sons of Esau; Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.
36The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.
37The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38And the sons of Seir; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezar, and Dishan.
39And the sons of Lotan; Hori, and Homam: and Timna was Lotan’s sister.
40The sons of Shobal; Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon; Aiah, and Anah.
41The sons of Anah; Dishon. And the sons of Dishon; Amram, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
42The sons of Ezer; Bilhan, and Zavan, and Jakan. The sons of Dishan; Uz, and Aran.
43Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
45And when Jobab was dead, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead.
46And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.
47And when Hadad was dead, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
48And when Samlah was dead, Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.
49And when Shaul was dead, Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
50And when Baal-hanan was dead, Hadad reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pai; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
51Hadad died also. And the dukes of Edom were; duke Timnah, duke Aliah, duke Jetheth,
52Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
53Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,
54Duke Magdiel, duke Iram. These are the dukes of Edom.
1Adam, Seth, Enosh,
2Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
3Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
6And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Diphath, and Togarmah.
7And the sons of Javan: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
8The sons of Ham: Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
9And the sons of Cush: Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raama, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba, and Dedan.
10And Cush begat Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
11And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
12and Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whence came the Philistines), and Caphtorim.
13And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth,
14and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,
15and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
16and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
17The sons of Shem: Elam, and Asshur, and Arpachshad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
18And Arpachshad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber.
19And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother`s name was Joktan.
20And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
21and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
22and Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
23and Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
24Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,
25Eber, Peleg, Reu,
26Serug, Nahor, Terah,
27Abram (the same is Abraham).
28The sons of Abraham: Isaac, and Ishmael.
29These are their generations: the first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
30Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
31Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
32And the sons of Keturah, Abraham`s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan.
33And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
34And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau, and Israel.
35The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah.
36The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.
37The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38And the sons of Seir: Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan.
39And the sons of Lotan: Hori, and Homam; and Timna was Lotan`s sister.
40The sons of Shobal: Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon: Aiah, and Anah.
41The sons of Anah: Dishon. And the sons of Dishon: Hamran, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
42The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz, and Aran.
43Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there resigned any king over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
45And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead.
46And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Avith.
47And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
48And Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead.
49And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
50And Baal-hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife`s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.
51And Hadad died. And the chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
52chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
53chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
54chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.
1Adam, Seth, Enosh,
2Kenan, Mahalalel, Jered,
3Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
6The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
7The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites.
8The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
9The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteca.The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
10Cush was the father of Nimrod, who established himself as a mighty warrior on earth.
11Mizraim was the father of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites,
12Pathrusites, Casluhites (from whom the Philistines descended) , and the Caphtorites.
13Canaan was the father of Sidon—his firstborn—and Heth,
14as well as the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,
15Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,
16Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.
17The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
18Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah was the father of Eber.
19Two sons were born to Eber: the first was named Peleg, for during his lifetime the earth was divided; his brother’s name was Joktan.
20Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
21Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
22Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,
23Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
24Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,
25Eber, Peleg, Reu,
26Serug, Nahor, Terah,
27Abram (that is, Abraham).
28The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
29These were their descendants:Ishmael’s firstborn son was Nebaioth; the others were Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
30Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
31Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.
32The sons to whom Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, gave birth: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah.The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.
33The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
34Abraham was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
35The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
36The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, and (by Timna) Amalek.
37The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
39The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam. (Timna was Lotan’s sister.)
40The sons of Shobal: Alyan, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam.The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
41The son of Anah: Dishon.The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.
42The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
43These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites: Bela son of Beor; the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him.
45When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him.
46When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad succeeded him. He struck down the Midianites in the plains of Moab; the name of his city was Avith.
47When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him.
48When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the River succeeded him.
49When Shaul died, Baal Hanan son of Achbor succeeded him.
50When Baal Hanan died, Hadad succeeded him; the name of his city was Pai. His wife was Mehetabel, daughter of Matred, daughter of Me-Zahab.
51Hadad died.Tribal Chiefs of EdomThe tribal chiefs of Edom were: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
52Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,
53Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
54Magdiel, and Iram. These were the tribal chiefs of Edom.
1Adam, Seth, Enosh,
2Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
3Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
6The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.
7The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
8The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
9The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
10Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth.
11Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,
12Pathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from), and Caphtorim.
13Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, Heth,
14the Jebusite, and the Amorite, the Girgashite,
15the Hivite, the Arkite, the Sinite,
16the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
17The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
18Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
19To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.
20Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
21Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
22Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,
23Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
24Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,
25Eber, Peleg, Reu,
26Serug, Nahor, Terah,
27Abram (also called Abraham).
28The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
29These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
30Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
31Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
32The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.
33The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
34Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
35The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
36The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek.
37The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
39The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister.
40The sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
41The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
42The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
43Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
45Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
46Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.
47Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
48Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.
49Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
50Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
51Then Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
52chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
53chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
54chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.
Summary
A sweeping genealogy traces the line from Adam through Noah, Shem, and Abraham to Isaac's sons Esau and Israel, establishing the covenant lineage and affirming the post-exilic community's identity as God's chosen people. The inclusion of Esau's descendants and Edom's kings serves as contrast to the chosen line through Israel.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Largely parallels 1-2 Samuel geographically. Jerusalem (Zion/City of David) is the theological and political center.
- Key sites: Hebron (David's first capital, 7 years), the threshing floor of Ornan/Araunah (future Temple site, ch.21).
- Chapters 1-9 (genealogies) contain tribal allotments but minimal narrative geography.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik notes that the genealogies served a vital function for the returned exiles: proving their identity as God's covenant people. Without the Temple records (many lost in the exile), these lists preserved the community's connection to their ancestral heritage. He emphasizes that every name represents a real person known to God — "God knows His own."
- Charles Spurgeon: "Here is a line of grace running through a line of names. Adam to Abraham — what a journey of sin and redemption lies beneath these simple records! Every name is a monument to God's patience. The line might have been broken a thousand times by human sin, but God preserved it, generation after generation, until it reached Abraham — and from Abraham it would reach David — and from David, Christ. These dry bones of genealogy are the skeleton of redemption's story."
Reflection
- 1. Every person matters to God (vv.1-54). This chapter contains over 200 names — most of whom we know nothing about beyond their place in a genealogy. Yet God recorded each one. In a world that values fame, influence, and visibility, this reminds us that God sees and remembers every life. You may feel like an obscure name in history, but you are known to God and placed in His story with purpose.
- 2. God's plan spans all of human history (vv.1-27). From Adam to Abraham is roughly 2,000 years — compressed into 27 verses. God is never in a hurry. His purposes unfold across generations, and what looks like delay is actually patient faithfulness. If you are waiting on God, remember: He has been working since Adam, and He has never abandoned His plan.
- 3. Identity matters (vv.1-34). The returned exiles needed to know who they were. In a culture of displacement and confusion, these genealogies grounded them in their covenant identity. Christians likewise need to know their spiritual heritage — grafted into Abraham's family by faith (Galatians 3:29), connected to the whole story of redemption. Know who you are in God's story.
- 4. The narrowing of grace (vv.28-34). From all humanity, God chose one family. From Abraham's sons, He chose Isaac over Ishmael. From Isaac's sons, He chose Israel over Esau. This is not favoritism but purpose — God narrows to one line so that through that line all nations will be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Election is always for service, never merely for privilege.
- 5. God works through imperfect lineages (v.34). The line from Adam to Israel passes through sinners, failures, and flawed humans. Tamar, Er, Judah's compromise — all are present in the broader genealogy. God does not require perfect people to accomplish His purposes. He works through broken vessels, and His plan succeeds despite human failure.