Lexical Summary Arnan: Arnan Original Word: אַרְנָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Arnan Probably from the same as 'Arnown; noisy; Arnan, an Israelite -- Arnan. see HEBREW 'Arnown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Aran Definition a desc. of David NASB Translation Arnan (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַרְנָן proper name, masculine a descendant of David 1 Chronicles 3:21. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence 1 Chronicles 3:21 is the single mention of Arnan: “The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, and the sons of Shecaniah.” Genealogical Placement within the House of David 1. David … Arnan therefore represents a post-exilic generation in the royal lineage. His placement shows a continuous, unbroken line from King David through the Babylonian exile and back to Judah. Historical Context After the exile, genealogical records were indispensable for land claims, tribal identity, and eligibility for temple service. Chronicling the royal family assured the community that the Davidic promise (2 Samuel 7:12-16) had not failed. The Chronicler’s audience, recently returned from captivity, could look at names like Arnan and see proof that the covenant line had survived foreign domination and deportation. Theological Significance 1. Preservation of the Davidic Covenant Arnan’s appearance, though brief, testifies that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). Every name in 1 Chronicles 3 underscores God’s faithfulness to preserve a royal seed until the true Son of David—Jesus Christ—should come (Matthew 1:6-16). 2. God’s Concern for Seemingly Small Lives Arnan never performs a recorded exploit, yet Scripture records him. “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19). No believer is forgotten in the divine record, even if unnoticed by history. 3. Encouragement for Post-Exilic Readers As the returned remnant rebuilt temple and walls, they could trace their kingly hope through ordinary men like Arnan. Their identity and future were not anchored in present circumstances but in God’s enduring promises. Christological Connections Chronicles ends its genealogies with the line visible; Matthew opens his Gospel by carrying that same line forward to Jesus Christ. Arnan stands in the middle of that bridge between Old Testament covenant and New Testament fulfillment. His inclusion means the Messiah’s legal claim to David’s throne rests on verifiable history, not legend. Lessons for Faith and Ministry • Faithfulness in obscurity: ministry impact is not limited to public figures. Like Arnan, many believers serve mainly by transmitting faith to the next generation. Key Reference Forms and Transliterations אַרְנָ֔ן ארנן ’ar·nān ’arnān arNanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 3:21 HEB: רְפָיָה֙ בְּנֵ֣י אַרְנָ֔ן בְּנֵ֥י עֹבַדְיָ֖ה NAS: the sons of Arnan, the sons KJV: the sons of Arnan, the sons INT: of Rephaiah the sons of Arnan the sons of Obadiah |
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