What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 2:40? Elasah was the father of Sismai • The verse roots us in the tribe of Judah, tracing the line that began with Sheshan’s daughter and his Egyptian servant Jarha (1 Chronicles 2:34-38). Each name confirms the historical reliability of Scripture and God’s meticulous record-keeping. • Elasah (“El-has-ah”) carries the family line first recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:39. His mention—though brief—assures us that no generation is overlooked (cf. Psalm 145:4; Exodus 3:15). • By preserving individual names, the Lord underlines the value He assigns to every believer, foreshadowing how Christ later calls His own by name (John 10:3). • This link in Judah’s chain keeps alive the promise that “your house and kingdom will endure forever” (2 Samuel 7:16), eventually culminating in the Messiah (Matthew 1:1-3; Luke 3:31-33). Sismai was the father of Shallum • Sismai receives the baton and faithfully passes it to Shallum (1 Chronicles 2:40-41). Scripture treats lineage like a relay: each runner matters because the divine plan depends on every handoff (cf. 2 Timothy 2:2). • Shallum’s name next appears in the very following verse, anchoring him in a tangible, verifiable family tree. This precision underscores that God’s redemptive work moves through real people in real time (Hebrews 11:39-40). • The pattern—one generation fathering the next—echoes throughout Genesis 5 and Ruth 4:18-22. It testifies that God’s covenant faithfulness marches steadily forward despite human frailty (Numbers 23:19). • By spotlighting a seemingly “ordinary” father-son link, the Spirit invites us to view our own family lines as platforms for continuing God’s story (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 78:4-6). summary 1 Chronicles 2:40, though only twelve words long, powerfully asserts that God records and honors each generation in His unfolding plan. Elasah and Sismai may never headline an Old Testament narrative, yet their inclusion guarantees the unbroken line from Judah to David and ultimately to Jesus. Every believer, likewise, has a God-appointed place in the larger story—called to receive the faith, live it authentically, and hand it on to those who follow. |
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