1 Chronicles 2:54
New International Version
The descendants of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites,

New Living Translation
The descendants of Salma were the people of Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, the other half of the Manahathites, the Zorites,

English Standard Version
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

Berean Standard Bible
The descendants of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites,

Berean Literal Bible
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the Netophathite, Atroth-beth-joab, and half the Manahathite, the Zorite,

King James Bible
The sons of Salma; Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites.

New King James Version
The sons of Salma were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half of the Manahethites, and the Zorites.

New American Standard Bible
The sons of Salma were Bethlehem and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

NASB 1995
The sons of Salma were Bethlehem and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

NASB 1977
The sons of Salma were Bethlehem and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

Legacy Standard Bible
The sons of Salma were Bethlehem and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

Amplified Bible
The sons (descendants) of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

Berean Annotated Bible
The descendants of Salma (garment): Bethlehem (house of bread), the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab (crowns of the house of Joab), half the Manahathites (rest), the Zorites,

Christian Standard Bible
Salma’s descendants: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Salma’s sons: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites,

American Standard Version
The sons of Salma: Beth-lehem, and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

Contemporary English Version
Salma settled the town of Bethlehem and was the ancestor of the Netophathites, the people of Atroth-Bethjoab, half of the Manahathite clan, and the Zorites.

English Revised Version
The sons of Salma; Beth-lehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The descendants of Salma, [who first settled] Bethlehem, were the Netophathites, Atroth, [who first settled] Beth Joab, half of the Manahathites, the Zorites,

Good News Translation
Salma, the founder of Bethlehem, was the ancestor of the people of Netophath, of Atroth Beth Joab, and of the Zorites, who were one of the two clans in Manahath. (

International Standard Version
Salma's descendants were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

NET Bible
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth-Joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites,

New Heart English Bible
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

Webster's Bible Translation
The sons of Salma; Beth-lehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Menahethites, the Zorites.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The descendants of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites,

World English Bible
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Sons of Salma: Beth-Lehem, and the Netophathite, Atroth, Beth-Joab, and half of the Menuhothite, the Zorite;

Berean Literal Bible
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the Netophathite, Atroth-beth-joab, and half the Manahathite, the Zorite,

Young's Literal Translation
Sons of Salma: Beth-Lehem, and the Netophathite, Atroth, Beth-Joab, and half of the Menuhothite, the Zorite;

Smith's Literal Translation
The sons of Salma: the house of bread, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half the Manahethites, the Zorites.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sons of Salma, Bethlehem, and Netophathi, the crowns of the house of Joab, and half of the place of rest of Sarai.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, the crowns of the house of Joab, and half the places of rest of the Zorathites,

New American Bible
The sons of Salma were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-Joab, half of the Manahathites, and the Zorites.

New Revised Standard Version
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All these sons were born to Shobal in Kirjath-narin.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Sepharim, Netuphath, Samla, Shemuthim, Shekab, Khama.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The sons of Salma: Beth-lehem, and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The sons of Salomon; Baethalaem, the Netophathite, Ataroth of the house of Joab, and half of the family of Malathi, Esari.

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Sons of Israel
53and the clans of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites. 54The descendants of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites, 55and the clans of the scribes who lived at Jabez—the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.…

Cross References
The descendants of Salma:

Ruth 4:18-22
Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, / Hezron was the father of Ram, Ram was the father of Amminadab, / Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salmon, …

Matthew 1:5-6
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, / and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

Luke 3:31-32
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, / the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,
Bethlehem,

Ruth 1:1-2
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab. / The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there.

1 Samuel 17:12
Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons. And in the days of Saul, Jesse was old and well along in years.

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
the Netophathites,

1 Chronicles 9:16
Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

Nehemiah 12:28
The singers were also assembled from the region around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites,

2 Samuel 23:28-29
Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, / Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites,
Atroth-beth-joab,

Numbers 32:34
And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,

Joshua 16:2
It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz) and proceeded to the border of the Archites in Ataroth.

Joshua 16:7
From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah, and then reached Jericho and came out at the Jordan.
half the Manahathites,

1 Chronicles 8:6
These were the descendants of Ehud who were the heads of the families living in Geba and were exiled to Manahath:

1 Chronicles 1:40
The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.

Genesis 36:23
These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
the Zorites,

1 Chronicles 4:2
Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.


Treasury of Scripture

The sons of Salma; Bethlehem, and the Netophathites, Ataroth, the house of Joab, and half of the Manahethites, the Zorites.

Beth-lehem.

1 Chronicles 2:51
Salma the father of Bethlehem, Hareph the father of Bethgader.

Netophathites.

2 Chronicles 11:20
And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.

2 Samuel 23:29
Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,

Ezra 2:22
The men of Netophah, fifty and six.

Ataroth.

Joshua 16:2
And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,

Jump to Previous
Ataroth Atroth Beth Bethlehem Descendants Half House Joab Manahathites Manahethites Menuhothite Netophathite Netophathites Netoph'athites Salma
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Ataroth Atroth Beth Bethlehem Descendants Half House Joab Manahathites Manahethites Menuhothite Netophathite Netophathites Netoph'athites Salma
1 Chronicles 2
1. The sons of Israel.
3. The posterity of Judah by Tamar.
13. The children of Jesse.
18. The posterity of Caleb the son of Hezron.
21. Hezron's posterity by the daughter of Machir.
25. Jerahmeel's posterity.
34. Sheshan's posterity.
42. Another branch of Caleb's posterity.
50. The posterity of Caleb the son of Hur.












The descendants of Salma:

Salma, a descendant of Caleb through Hur, headed a branch of Judah connected with several towns and clans in the region surrounding Bethlehem.

Rut 4:18-22 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father…
Mat 1:5-6 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab,…
Luk 3:31-32 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha,…

Bethlehem,

Bethlehem became one of Judah’s most significant towns, later known as the home of David and the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

Rut 1:1-2 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine…
1Sa 17:12 Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite…
Mic 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small…

the Netophathites,

The Netophathites were a Judahite community from the area near Bethlehem and remained identified with their ancestral town.

1Ch 9:16 Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal…
Neh 12:28 The singers were also assembled from the region…
2Sa 23:28-29 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,…

Atroth-beth-joab,

Atroth-beth-joab was a settlement associated with Salma’s line; “Atroth” means “crowns” or “villages,” preserving the memory of an early Judahite family or leader.

Num 32:34 And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer,
Jos 16:2 It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz)…
Jos 16:7 From Janoah it went down to Ataroth and Naarah,…

half the Manahathites,

Only one division of the Manahathites belonged to this branch, reflecting the spread of related clans among different settlements.

1Ch 8:6 These were the descendants of Ehud who were…
1Ch 1:40 The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.…
Gen 36:23 These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath…

the Zorites,

The Zorites were another Judahite clan associated with Salma’s descendants, showing the growth of Caleb’s family into established communities within Judah.

1Ch 4:2 Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath,…
Jdg 13:2 Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah,…
Jdg 16:31 Then Samson’s brothers and his father’s family came down,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Salma
A descendant of Judah, Salma is noted as the father of Bethlehem, indicating his significant role in the lineage leading to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ.

2. Bethlehem
A town in Judah, Bethlehem is historically significant as the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ. It is often referred to as the "City of David."

3. Netophathites
Inhabitants of Netophah, a town near Bethlehem. They are mentioned in various genealogies and military contexts in the Old Testament.

4. Atroth-beth-Joab
A location or group associated with Joab, possibly indicating a settlement or clan within the tribe of Judah.

5. Manahathites
A group or clan within the tribe of Judah, possibly linked to the town of Manahath.

6. Zorites
Another clan or group within the tribe of Judah, possibly linked to the town of Zorah.
Teaching Points
Genealogical Importance
Understanding the genealogies in the Bible helps us see God's sovereign plan through history, leading to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Significance of Bethlehem
Bethlehem's role in biblical history as the birthplace of both David and Jesus highlights God's consistent use of humble beginnings for His divine purposes.

Community and Heritage
The mention of various clans and towns reminds us of the importance of community and heritage in our spiritual journey.

God's Faithfulness
The detailed genealogies demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through generations.

Role of Ordinary Places
God often uses ordinary places and people to accomplish extraordinary things, encouraging us to see potential in our own lives and communities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 2:54?

2. How does 1 Chronicles 2:54 highlight the importance of family lineage in Scripture?

3. What role did the "Zorathites" play in the broader biblical narrative?

4. How can understanding genealogies in 1 Chronicles deepen our faith and biblical knowledge?

5. How does 1 Chronicles 2:54 connect to God's promises to Israel?

6. What lessons on heritage and faith can we apply from 1 Chronicles 2:54?

7. What is the significance of 1 Chronicles 2:54 in the genealogy of the Israelites?

8. How does 1 Chronicles 2:54 contribute to understanding the lineage of the tribe of Judah?

9. What historical evidence supports the genealogical claims in 1 Chronicles 2:54?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 2?


1 Chronicles 2:54 catalogs the literal descendants of Salma—Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, half the Manahathites, and the Zorites—to show that God anchored Judah’s history in identifiable places and clans. Each name spotlights a thread of covenant faithfulness: Bethlehem foresees Messiah, Netophathites model loyal service, Atroth-beth-joab confirms historical precision, half the Manahathites illustrate ordered inheritance, and the Zorites reveal God’s reach to the borders. The verse reassures believers that the Lord works through real people and real towns, weaving every detail into His redemptive plan.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The descendants
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Salma:
שַׂלְמָ֗א (śal·mā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8007: Salma -- father of Boaz, also the founder of Bethlehem

Bethlehem,
לֶ֙חֶם֙ (le·ḥem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1035: Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun

the Netophathites,
וּנְט֣וֹפָתִ֔י (ū·nə·ṭō·w·p̄ā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5200: Netophathite -- inhabitant of Netophah

Atroth-beth-joab,
יוֹאָ֑ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5854: Atroth-beth-joab -- a place in Judah

half
וַחֲצִ֥י (wa·ḥă·ṣî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

the Manahathites,
הַמָּנַחְתִּ֖י (ham·mā·naḥ·tî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2680: Chatsi-ham-Menachtite or descendant of Chatsi-ham-Menuchoth -- half of the Manahethites

the Zorites,
הַצָּרְעִֽי׃ (haṣ·ṣā·rə·‘î)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6882: Zorathites -- inhabitants of Zorah


Additonal Resources
1 Chronicles 2:54 Blue Letter Bible
1 Chronicles 2:54 Bible Gateway
1 Chronicles 2:54 Bible.com

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1 Chronicles 2:54 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Chronicles 2:54 The sons of Salma: Bethlehem and (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)

1 Chronicles 2:53
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