What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 2:53? And the clans of Kiriath-jearim “and the clans of Kiriath-jearim—” (1 Chronicles 2:53) • Kiriath-jearim was a border town between Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 18:15), later famous as the place where the Ark rested before David moved it to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 7:1-2; 2 Samuel 6:2). • By naming its clans, the writer grounds his genealogy in real geography and history, underscoring how God preserves both places and people for His purposes (Ezra 2:25 shows later returnees from the same town). • These records prove God’s faithfulness to the covenant promises made to Judah (Genesis 49:10) and highlight that no community is overlooked in His redemptive plan. The Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites “the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites.” • Four family groups spring from Kiriath-jearim, each with its own place in Israel’s story. – Ithrites: two of David’s elite warriors—Zabdi and Ithai—were Ithrites (1 Samuel 26:6; 2 Samuel 23:38), illustrating how God raises humble clans to positions of influence. – Puthites, Shumathites, Mishraites: though less prominent in narrative passages, their inclusion reminds us that the Lord “knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19) and records every lineage (Malachi 3:16). • The list witnesses to the unity of Israel’s tribes; genealogies connect every family to the promise-bearing line of Judah (Ruth 4:18-22). From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites “From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites.” • Zorah and Eshtaol were towns allotted to Judah (Joshua 15:33) but bordered Dan; Samson’s parents lived between them (Judges 13:2, 25; 16:31). • By tracing these two groups back to Kiriath-jearim, Scripture shows how Judah’s influence radiated outward, fulfilling Jacob’s blessing that Judah would lead the tribes (1 Chronicles 5:2). • The connection to Samson underlines God’s sovereign weaving of tribal lines—even a judge from Dan draws heritage through Judah’s towns, showcasing the larger tapestry of redemption (Romans 8:28). summary 1 Chronicles 2:53 anchors four obscure clans to a well-known town, then links them to two border communities that played key roles in Israel’s history. Every name in the verse testifies that God faithfully tracks each family within His covenant people, raises the humble to service, and weaves every lineage into His unfolding plan of salvation. |
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