King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 3:23 Mean?

1 Chronicles 3:23 in the King James Version says “And the sons of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three. Hezekiah: Heb. Hiskijah” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the sons of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three. Hezekiah: Heb. Hiskijah”

1 Chronicles 3:23 · KJV

Context

21

And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.

22

And the sons of Shechaniah; Shemaiah: and the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six.

23

And the sons of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three. Hezekiah: Heb. Hiskijah

24

And the sons of Elioenai were, Hodaiah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Dalaiah, and Anani, seven.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the sons of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three—these descendants of David's royal line lived post-exilic, after the Babylonian captivity ended monarchy. אֶלְיוֹעֵינַי (Elyoenai) means 'my eyes are toward Yahweh,' חִזְקִיָּה (Hizkiyah) means 'Yahweh strengthens,' and עַזְרִיקָם (Azrikam) means 'my help has risen.' The careful specification 'three' emphasizes completeness and accuracy in record-keeping.

Though kingship ended with Zedekiah (586 BC), God preserved David's line through exile, fulfilling His covenant promise that David's house wouldn't fail (2 Samuel 7:16). These obscure descendants maintained Davidic identity across exile's dark centuries, unknowingly preserving Messiah's genealogical pathway until Christ's birth seven generations later (Matthew 1:1-17). Faithfulness in obscurity prepares for God's purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After Babylonian exile (539 BC return), Davidic descendants like Zerubbabel led returnees but didn't regain kingship. The family maintained identity through careful genealogical records, anticipating messianic fulfillment. These names appear in Chronicles' unique post-exilic extension (1 Chronicles 3:17-24), possibly updated during Ezra-Nehemiah's era.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's preservation of David's line through obscure descendants encourage you when your faithfulness seems insignificant?
  2. What does it mean that Messiah's genealogy depended on unknown believers maintaining covenant identity through exile?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וּבֶן1 of 6

“And the 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

נְעַרְיָ֗ה2 of 6

“of Neariah”

H5294

nearjah, the name of two israelites

אֶלְיֽוֹעֵינַ֧י3 of 6

“Elioenai”

H454

eljehoenai or eljoenai, the name of seven israelites

וְחִזְקִיָּ֛ה4 of 6

“and Hezekiah”

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

וְעַזְרִיקָ֖ם5 of 6

“and Azrikam”

H5840

azrikam, the name of four israelites

שְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃6 of 6

“three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

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 3:23 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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