What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 3:23? Setting the stage 1 Chronicles 3 records the royal line of David, tracing it from Solomon through the Babylonian exile and beyond. Verse 23 belongs to the post-exilic portion, showing how God preserved the family line even after national judgment (cf. Jeremiah 33:20-21). By including every name, Scripture affirms that God keeps covenant promises with exactness (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The sons of Neariah Neariah is a grandson of King Jeconiah (v. 17), so his children carry the Davidic promise forward. Every generation listed here reminds us that the Lord “will not reject forever” (Lamentations 3:31-32). - Their placement after the exile underscores that God’s plans outlast earthly thrones (Daniel 2:44). - Each person is a living link between God’s past pledge and future fulfillment in Christ (Luke 1:32-33). Elioenai “Elioenai” means “My eyes are toward God,” and his position as firstborn is highlighted. Firstborn sons in Scripture often represent hope for continuation (Genesis 48:14-20). His name itself testifies that the family’s gaze remained on the Lord, echoing Psalm 123:1-2. Hizkiah Though brief, the inclusion of Hizkiah (“the Lord is my strength”) mirrors the encouragement God gave to Zerubbabel, another post-exilic leader: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). His name reminds readers that strength to rebuild their lives comes from God alone (Isaiah 40:29-31). Azrikam Azrikam (“the Lord has helped”) completes the trio. Together with other men named Azrikam in 1 Chronicles 8:38 and Nehemiah 11:15, he illustrates that God’s help is not a one-time event but a continual pattern. His name resonates with Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” Three in all The phrase “three in all” underscores that God’s recordkeeping is meticulous (Malachi 3:16). It also balances earlier triads in the chapter (v. 18, v. 22), hinting at completeness. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 notes, “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken,” emphasizing stability within the preserved line. summary 1 Chronicles 3:23 is more than a footnote; it showcases God’s unwavering commitment to the Davidic covenant. By naming Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam—exactly three sons—Scripture celebrates: • the precise faithfulness of God in recording every descendant, even after exile; • the ongoing hope that each generation in David’s line carried, culminating in Jesus (Matthew 1:12-16); • the truth that individual lives and names matter to the Lord, assuring modern believers that He likewise knows and values each of us (Luke 12:7). |
    |