King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 8:38 Mean?

1 Chronicles 8:38 in the King James Version says “And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All t...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.”

1 Chronicles 8:38 · KJV

Context

36

And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,

37

And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:

38

And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.

39

And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

40

And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers , and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Azel had six sons—this detailed enumeration appears twice in Chronicles (here and 9:44), emphasizing King Saul's genealogy. Azel (אָצֵל 'noble' or 'set apart') descended from Jonathan through Merib-baal/Mephibosheth (v. 34), making these six sons Saul's great-great-great-grandsons. Their names—Azrikam (עַזְרִיקָם 'my help has risen'), Bocheru (בֹּכְרוּ 'firstborn'), Ishmael (יִשְׁמָעֵאל 'God hears'), Sheariah (שְׁעַרְיָה 'Yahweh has stormed'), Obadiah (עֹבַדְיָה 'servant of Yahweh'), and Hanan (חָנָן 'gracious')—blend theophoric piety with circumstantial naming.

The repetition All these were the sons of Azel creates a deliberate inclusio (bracketing device), emphasizing completeness. Why chronicle Saul's post-monarchic descendants so carefully? The Chronicler demonstrates that God's rejection of Saul's dynasty (1 Samuel 15:28) didn't mean extinction of his lineage—covenant mercy preserved Saul's descendants through Jonathan's line despite dynastic failure. This offered hope to post-exilic Israel: corporate judgment doesn't necessitate individual extinction; God preserves faithful remnants even from rejected systems.

That Jonathan's line survived while kingship passed to David illustrates grace's complexity: God judges institutions (Saulide monarchy ended) while preserving persons (Jonathan's descendants continued). The names testify to genuine Yahwistic faith ('servant of Yahweh,' 'my help has risen') among Saul's descendants, showing personal piety can flourish even in dynasties under divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Saul's dynasty ended violently on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31, c. 1010 BC) when he and three sons died fighting Philistines. Only Ish-bosheth and Jonathan's son Mephibosheth survived. Ish-bosheth's assassination (2 Samuel 4) and Mephibosheth's childless status initially seemed to end Saul's line, but 2 Samuel 21:8 mentions Merab's sons, and this Chronicles passage shows Jonathan's descendants continued through post-exilic period. Their survival testifies to David's covenant with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:15-16, 42) outlasting the royal rivalry.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's preservation of Saul's descendants through Jonathan comfort those whose families have experienced corporate discipline or institutional failure?
  2. What does the theophoric piety in Azel's sons' names teach about maintaining personal faithfulness even when family legacy includes divine judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אָצַֽל׃1 of 15

“And Azel”

H682

atsel, the name of a place in palestine

שִׁשָּׁ֣ה2 of 15

“had six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

בְּנֵ֥י3 of 15

“All these were 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

וְאֵ֣לֶּה4 of 15
H428

these or those

שְׁמוֹתָ֗ם5 of 15

“whose names”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

עַזְרִיקָ֥ם׀6 of 15

“are these Azrikam”

H5840

azrikam, the name of four israelites

בֹּ֙כְרוּ֙7 of 15

“Bocheru”

H1074

bokeru, an israelite

וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל8 of 15

“and Ishmael”

H3458

jishmael, the name of abraham's oldest son, and of five israelites

וּשְׁעַרְיָ֔ה9 of 15

“and Sheariah”

H8187

shearjah, an israelite

וְעֹֽבַדְיָ֖ה10 of 15

“and Obadiah”

H5662

obadjah, the name of thirteen israelites

וְחָנָ֑ן11 of 15

“and Hanan”

H2605

chanan, the name of seven israelites

כָּל12 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֵ֖לֶּה13 of 15
H428

these or those

בְּנֵ֥י14 of 15

“All these were 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

אָצַֽל׃15 of 15

“And Azel”

H682

atsel, the name of a place in palestine

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 8:38 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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