What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 2:18? Caleb son of Hezron “Caleb son of Hezron” (1 Chronicles 2:18) places us firmly in Judah’s family line. By recording this name, the chronicler: • Anchors Caleb within the God-given promise that “the scepter will not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10). • Underscores the reliability of Israel’s records—carefully preserved from Boaz (Ruth 4:20-22) through David (1 Chronicles 2:15) and ultimately to Christ (Matthew 1:2-3). • Introduces a Caleb who is likely a different individual from “Caleb son of Jephunneh” of Numbers 13:6; the tribe of Judah had more than one Caleb, and Scripture accurately distinguishes them. had children by his wife Azubah and by Jerioth The text continues: “had children by his wife Azubah and by Jerioth.” Two wives are named: • Azubah—whose name appears again in 1 Kings 22:42 as the mother of King Jehoshaphat, showing the name’s recurrence within Judah. • Jerioth—mentioned only here, yet honored in the family record. By listing both, the verse: • Demonstrates God’s interest in every branch of the covenant family, however briefly noted (Psalm 139:16). • Reminds us that multiple marriages, though not God’s original design (Genesis 2:24), occurred among the patriarchs; Scripture reports the facts without endorsing every practice, while still advancing His redemptive plan (Acts 13:22-23). These were the sons of Azubah: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon The chronicler then specifies three sons: • Jesher • Shobab • Ardon Including their names shows: • The precision of the genealogical record—each name matters because each life matters to God (Isaiah 49:1). • How God builds future generations through ordinary families. Though these men are not prominent elsewhere, they helped populate Judah, through whom “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” would come (Revelation 5:5). • An echo of other triplets in Scripture, such as Noah’s sons (Genesis 5:32); patterns like these subtly remind readers of God’s ongoing creative work. summary 1 Chronicles 2:18 assures us that God knows and values every individual in His covenant family. By highlighting Caleb son of Hezron, his wives Azubah and Jerioth, and the sons of Azubah—Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon—Scripture underscores the trustworthiness of its genealogies, preserves the hope carried by the tribe of Judah, and reminds us that even seemingly minor names have a part in God’s unfolding redemption. |
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