King James Version
What Does 1 Chronicles 4:17 Mean?
“And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.”
Context
15
And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz. even Kenaz: or, Uknaz
16
And the sons of Jehaleleel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel.
17
And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
18
And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took. Jehudijah: or, the Jewess
19
And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite. Hodiah: or, Jehudijah, mentioned before
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(17) **And the sons of Ezra.**—Heb., *son,* but some MSS. have *sons* (see Note on 1Chronicles 3:19; 1Chronicles 3:21). Ezra means *help =* Ezer, 1Chronicles 4:4.
**Jether** occurred 1Chronicles 2:32, as a Jerahmeelite.
**Epher** recurs 1Chronicles 5:24, as a Manassite name.
**Jalon and Mered** occur nowhere else.
**And she bare.**—Literally, *conceived. Who* bare the three sons, whose names follow, is not clear from the preceding statement, which includes none but male appellations. The LXX. reads, “And Jether bare Maron (Miriam),” &c, and the Syriac and Arabic omit 1Chronicles 4:17-18. This confirms our suspicion that the text is faulty.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 4:17 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 4:17
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge