King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 4:19 Mean?

1 Chronicles 4:19 in the King James Version says “And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite. Hod...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Chronicles 4:19 · KJV

Context

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.

21

The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,

Read 1 Chronicles 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite—this complex verse navigates familial relationships within Judah. הוֹדִיָּה (Hodiyah) means 'majesty of Yahweh' or 'praise Yahweh,' while נַחַם (Naham) means 'comfort.' Keilah, a fortified town David later rescued (1 Samuel 23), demonstrates how genealogies preserved both family and territorial connections.

The phrase 'father of Keilah' likely means 'founder' or 'chief,' showing patriarchs established settlements bearing their names or governance. This intertwining of genealogy and geography helped post-exilic returnees reclaim ancestral lands. Every name in these lists represented not just individuals but families, clans, and territorial claims rooted in God's covenant land promises.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Keilah, located in Judah's Shephelah (lowlands), served as a fortified border town against Philistine incursions. David's rescue of Keilah from Philistines (1 Samuel 23:1-13) demonstrated his leadership before becoming king. The town's inhabitants, however, would have betrayed David to Saul, showing political complexity in border regions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the connection between genealogy and geography show that God's promises include both people and place?
  2. What does it mean that your spiritual inheritance includes both relationship with God's people and place in His kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וּבְנֵי֙1 of 10

“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

אֵ֣שֶׁת2 of 10

“of his wife”

H802

a woman

הֽוֹדִיָּ֔ה3 of 10

“Hodiah”

H1940

a jewess

אֲח֣וֹת4 of 10

“the sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

נַ֔חַם5 of 10

“of Naham”

H5163

nacham, an israelite

אֲבִ֥י6 of 10

“the father”

H1

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

קְעִילָ֖ה7 of 10

“of Keilah”

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

הַגַּרְמִ֑י8 of 10

“the Garmite”

H1636

bony, i.e., strong

וְאֶשְׁתְּמֹ֖עַ9 of 10

“and Eshtemoa”

H851

eshtemoa or eshtemoh, a place in palestine

הַמַּֽעֲכָתִֽי׃10 of 10

“the Maachathite”

H4602

a maakathite, or inhabitant of maakah

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 4:19 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 4:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 15:441 Samuel 23:1-13

Test Your Knowledge

1 Chronicles 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Chronicles 4 with CommentaryAll 1 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 1 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes