King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 2:18 Mean?

1 Chronicles 2:18 in the King James Version says “And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, a...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.”

1 Chronicles 2:18 · KJV

Context

16

Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.

17

And Abigail bare Amasa: and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmeelite.

18

And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.

19

And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.

20

And Hur begat Uri, and Uri begat Bezaleel.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth—this Caleb differs from the faithful spy (Numbers 13-14); this is Caleb ben Hezron of Judah's early generations. The Hebrew עֲזוּבָה (Azubah) means 'forsaken,' a poignant name perhaps reflecting circumstances of her birth. יְרִיעוֹת (Jerioth) means 'tent curtains,' possibly indicating Bedouin connections.

The text's grammar creates interpretive challenges—whether Azubah and Jerioth were co-wives or whether Jerioth identifies Azubah's children. Either way, the complexity reflects real family dynamics. These genealogical details weren't mere antiquarianism but established land claims and inheritance rights for post-exilic returnees reclaiming Judah's territory.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Chronicler compiled these genealogies from ancient family records, court archives, and Genesis-Samuel materials. For post-exilic Jews, proving Judahite descent meant legitimate claims to ancestral lands. Names like 'forsaken' remind us these records preserved real people's stories, not just data.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the name 'Azubah' (forsaken) remind you that God includes and redeems those whom society marginalizes?
  2. What does the preservation of complex family details teach about God's concern for the particulars of our lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְכָלֵ֣ב1 of 14

“And Caleb”

H3612

caleb, the name of three israelites

בָנֶ֔יהָ2 of 14

“her sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֶצְר֗וֹן3 of 14

“of Hezron”

H2696

chetsron, the name of a place in palestine; also of two israelites

הוֹלִ֛יד4 of 14

“begat”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

אֶת5 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲזוּבָ֥ה6 of 14

“Azubah”

H5806

azubah, the name of two israelitesses

אִשָּׁ֖ה7 of 14

“his wife”

H802

a woman

וְאֶת8 of 14

“children of”

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

יְרִיע֑וֹת9 of 14

“and of Jerioth”

H3408

jerioth, an israelitess

וְאֵ֣לֶּה10 of 14
H428

these or those

בָנֶ֔יהָ11 of 14

“her sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֵ֥שֶׁר12 of 14

“are these Jesher”

H3475

jesher, an israelite

וְשׁוֹבָ֖ב13 of 14

“and Shobab”

H7727

shobab, the name of two israelites

וְאַרְדּֽוֹן׃14 of 14

“and Ardon”

H715

ardon, an israelite

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 2:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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