What does 1 Chronicles 1:39 mean?
What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 1:39?

The Sons of Lotan

1 Chronicles 1:39 sets Lotan within the line of Seir the Horite, reminding us that Scripture tracks not only Israel but also the surrounding peoples (see Genesis 36:20–21; Deuteronomy 2:12). By naming Lotan’s descendants, the text validates God’s promise that every nation has its appointed place and history (Acts 17:26).


Hori

• Mentioned again in Genesis 36:22, Hori heads a Horite clan dwelling in Edom before Jacob’s family arrived.

• His inclusion underscores the literal accuracy of the record: God remembers even seemingly minor figures, affirming that no life is overlooked (Psalm 139:1–4).

• Hori’s clan later intertwines with Esau’s descendants, showing how God sovereignly weaves different families into His larger redemptive plan (Romans 9:10–13).


Homam

• Also called “Hemam” in Genesis 36:22, a slight spelling variation that does not affect the factual reality.

• Homam’s presence confirms that multiple witnesses (Moses and the Chronicler) agree on the same genealogy, reinforcing biblical reliability (2 Corinthians 13:1).

• Though little else is said of him, his recorded name illustrates that God values each branch of a family tree, no matter how small (Isaiah 49:16).


Timna was Lotan’s sister

Genesis 36:22, 12 identifies Timna as the concubine of Eliphaz (Esau’s son) and mother of Amalek, whose descendants later oppose Israel (Exodus 17:8–16).

• By specifying her gender and relationship, the text shows that women as well as men carry historical and theological weight in God’s narrative (Ruth 4:13–22; Galatians 3:28).

• Timna’s link to Amalek underlines how choices in one generation can echo for centuries, reminding believers to steward relationships wisely (Deuteronomy 25:17–19; 1 Samuel 15:2).


summary

1 Chronicles 1:39 may read like a simple family note, yet it testifies to Scripture’s meticulous accuracy, God’s comprehensive knowledge of every person, and His sovereignty over the interconnected stories of nations. Hori, Homam, and Timna each illustrate that every name matters and every life fits into God’s unfailing purposes.

Why are the descendants of Seir mentioned in 1 Chronicles 1:38?
Top of Page
Top of Page