What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 4:16? The sons of Jehallelel • 1 Chronicles 4:16: “The sons of Jehallelel: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.” • Jehallelel appears in the broader Judahite lineage stretching from 1 Chronicles 4:1–23. Just as earlier lists begin with Judah (4:1) and highlight descendants such as Perez and Hezron (4:1–2), this brief notice roots four otherwise unknown brothers firmly inside God’s covenant family. • Genealogies anchor promises like Genesis 49:10 and 2 Samuel 7:12–16, tracing how the royal line and the worshipping tribe are preserved across centuries. Matthew 1:2–3 echoes the same line, showing that God’s recorded history is trustworthy down to each name. Ziph • The name recalls the wilderness of Ziph, where David hid from Saul (1 Samuel 23:14–15; Psalm 54 title). It reminds us that God often shelters His own in unlikely places. • Even an obscure descendant connects to God’s larger story: “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). • Like David’s experience at Ziph, this son’s appearance testifies that every believer’s location and circumstance matter in God’s careful record. Ziphah • Ziphah’s near-identical name to Ziph highlights how families sometimes celebrate shared heritage by repeating a root name (cf. Numbers 26:11 where “Korah’s sons did not die,” preserving a name once shamed). • The doubling underscores continuity: “From generation to generation Your faithfulness extends” (Psalm 119:90). • God values both the famous and the familiar, showing that spiritual legacy can flourish side by side among siblings (2 Timothy 1:5). Tiria • Though Scripture offers no further detail, Tiria’s listing affirms that none of God’s children are lost in the shuffle. Jesus said, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). • Obscurity never limits usefulness. In 1 Chronicles 9 the temple gatekeepers—largely unknown—are praised for faithfulness. Tiria stands in the same tradition. • The mention of four sons together also pictures familial unity—echoing Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.” Asarel • Asarel’s name, coming last, rounds out the quartet just as genealogical lists often place a capstone figure (see 1 Chronicles 2:20). • His inclusion reiterates God’s care: “I have called you by name; you are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1). • The closing stillness after Asarel reminds readers that the chapter soon moves on to other families, yet God never moves on from remembering any of His people (Malachi 3:16). summary 1 Chronicles 4:16 may look like a mere footnote, but each name is a living witness to God’s meticulous faithfulness. Jehallelel’s four sons—Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel—show that the Lord records, preserves, and cherishes every individual in His covenant family. The verse invites us to trust the accuracy of Scripture, value seemingly ordinary lives, and rest in the assurance that our own names are known to the same faithful God. |
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