King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 2:48 Mean?

1 Chronicles 2:48 in the King James Version says “Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah.” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah.”

1 Chronicles 2:48 · KJV

Context

46

And Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez: and Haran begat Gazez.

47

And the sons of Jahdai; Regem, and Jotham, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph.

48

Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah.

49

She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.

50

These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjathjearim,

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Maachah, Caleb's concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah—מַעֲכָה (Maacah) was a common name meaning 'oppression' or 'pressure,' shared by multiple biblical women including David's wife. As פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pilegesh, 'concubine'), Maachah held secondary wife status—legitimate but without full wife privileges. Sheber (שֶׁבֶר, 'fracture' or 'breach') and Tirhanah (תִּרְחֲנָה, meaning uncertain) extended Caleb's considerable family network.

Concubinage in ancient Israel, while culturally accepted, fell short of God's Genesis 2:24 design for monogamous marriage. The practice created household tensions (Genesis 16, 21) and succession conflicts (2 Samuel 3:2-5). The Chronicler records these realities without moral commentary, letting Scripture's narrative arc—from polygamy's problems to Christ's elevation of marriage (Matthew 19:4-6)—provide interpretation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Concubines were secondary wives, often from lower social status, captured in war, or given as gifts. Their children could inherit, though primary wives' sons received preference. The practice persisted throughout Old Testament period but decreased post-exilic, with later Judaism emphasizing monogamy more strongly.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Scripture's honest recording of concubinage without approving it teach us to distinguish between what God permits and what He prefers?
  2. What does Christ's upholding of Genesis 2:24 (one man, one woman) teach about God's ideal versus cultural accommodations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
פִּילֶ֤גֶשׁ1 of 7

“concubine”

H6370

a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour

כָּלֵב֙2 of 7

“Caleb's”

H3612

caleb, the name of three israelites

מַֽעֲכָ֔ה3 of 7

“Maachah”

H4601

maakah (or maakath), the name of a place in syria, also of a mesopotamian, of three israelites, and of four israelitesses and one syrian woman

יָ֥לַד4 of 7

“bare”

H3205

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

שֶׁ֖בֶר5 of 7

“Sheber”

H7669

sheber, an israelite

וְאֶֽת6 of 7
H853

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

תִּרְחֲנָֽה׃7 of 7

“and Tirhanah”

H8647

tirchanah, 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 2:48 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 2:48 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 25:5-61 Chronicles 2:46

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