King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 4:18 Mean?

1 Chronicles 4:18 in the King James Version says “And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Chronicles 4:18 · KJV

Context

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

20

And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Benzoheth.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Genealogical Significance: This verse appears within the Judah's expansion and conquest section of Chronicles' genealogical framework. The Hebrew term נַחֲלָה (nachalah) - inheritance is central to understanding this passage's purpose. The Chronicler, writing to post-exilic Israel (c. 450-400 BCE), uses these genealogies not merely as historical records but as theological statements about covenant continuity and divine faithfulness.

The genealogical structure serves multiple purposes: (1) establishing Israel's connection to God's creatio n plan from Adam, (2) legitimizing post-exilic community's claim to covenant promises, (3) emphasizing Judah and Levi's special roles in God's redemptive plan, and (4) demonstrating that despite exile, God's covenant purposes continue. The selection and arrangement of names is intentional, highlighting God's faithfulness in land promises.

Chronicles diverges from Genesis and Samuel-Kings in its genealogical presentation, reflecting the Chronicler's distinct theological agenda. Where earlier texts focus on narrative history, Chronicles emphasizes continuity, legitimacy, and hope for restoration. This verse contributes to the larger argument that the post-exilic community is the rightful heir of God's ancient covenant promises.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-Exilic Context: The Chronicler wrote during the Persian period (450-400 BCE) to a community returned from Babylonian exile, struggling with identity and purpose. These genealogies answered crucial questions: Who are we? What is our relationship to ancient Israel? Do God's promises still apply to us?

The historical setting influences the text's emphasis on Genealogies of Judah's clans and territorial expansions. Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued genealogies for establishing land rights, royal legitimacy, and tribal identity. Chronicles' genealogies served similar functions while adding theological depth. The inclusion of specific names and details reflects the author's access to temple archives, royal records, and earlier biblical texts.

Archaeological evidence from Persian-period Judah shows a small, struggling community centered around Jerusalem and the rebuilt temple. The genealogies reinforced their connection to the glorious past and provided hope for future restoration through God's covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding genealogies as theological statements rather than mere historical records change your reading of Chronicles and other biblical genealogies?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's faithfulness across generations, and how does that apply to your own family's spiritual legacy?
  3. How does God's faithfulness in land promises connect to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְאִשְׁתּ֣וֹ1 of 23

“And his wife”

H802

a woman

הַיְהֻֽדִיָּ֗ה2 of 23

“Jehudijah”

H3057

jehudijah, a jewess

יָֽלְדָ֞ה3 of 23

“bare”

H3205

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

אֶת4 of 23
H853

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

יֶ֨רֶד5 of 23

“Jered”

H3382

jered, the name of an antediluvian, and of an israelite

אֲבִ֣י6 of 23

“the father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

גְדוֹר֙7 of 23

“of Gedor”

H1446

gedor, a place in palestine; also the name of three israelites

וְאֶת8 of 23
H853

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

חֶ֙בֶר֙9 of 23

“and Heber”

H2268

cheber, the name of a kenite and of three israelites

אֲבִ֣י10 of 23

“the father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

שׂוֹכ֔וֹ11 of 23

“of Socho”

H7755

sokoh or soko, the name of two places in palestine

וְאֶת12 of 23
H853

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

יְקֽוּתִיאֵ֖ל13 of 23

“and Jekuthiel”

H3354

jekuthiel, an israelite

אֲבִ֣י14 of 23

“the father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

זָנ֑וֹחַ15 of 23

“of Zanoah”

H2182

zanoach, the name of two places in palestine

וְאֵ֗לֶּה16 of 23
H428

these or those

בְּנֵי֙17 of 23

“And these are 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

בִּתְיָ֣ה18 of 23

“of Bithiah”

H1332

bithjah, an egyptian woman

בַת19 of 23

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

פַּרְעֹ֔ה20 of 23

“of Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָקַ֖ח22 of 23

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מָֽרֶד׃23 of 23

“which Mered”

H4778

mered, 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 4:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 4:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 4:391 Chronicles 4:41 Chronicles 2:42Joshua 15:58Joshua 15:34-35Joshua 15:48

Places in This Verse

Gedor 3Settlement · Modern: Khirbet Jedur · 31.63°N, 35.09°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in 1 Chronicles 4 →

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