What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 4:37? “and Ziza son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah.” Ziza • Listed among the “chiefs in their families” whose “households increased greatly” (1 Chronicles 4:38), Ziza represents a new generation of leadership for the tribe of Simeon. • His appearance near the close of the genealogy shows God’s ongoing provision of capable heads for every clan, echoing Numbers 27:16–17 where Moses asks the LORD to appoint leaders so the people “will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” • Like Bezalel (Exodus 31:2) and Gideon (Jud 6:15), Ziza’s inclusion reassures readers that God knows each servant by name. son of Shiphi • Shiphi ties Ziza to a concrete historical father, underscoring the literal nature of the genealogy (cf. Deuteronomy 6:20–25, where fathers pass the story on to sons). • The father–son link reminds us of the fifth commandment’s call to honor parents, which stabilizes both family and nation (Exodus 20:12). son of Allon • Allon’s name keeps the record moving back one more generation, mirroring Genesis 5 and 11 where each “begot” section shows an unbroken chain from Adam to Abraham. • The chronicler’s precision highlights God’s faithfulness “to a thousand generations” of those who love Him (Deuteronomy 7:9). son of Jedaiah • With Jedaiah we reach a common post-exilic name (cf. Ezra 2:36), linking Simeon’s past to Israel’s restoration era. • This overlap with later priestly names (e.g., Nehemiah 12:6–7) suggests that even tribes without a large landholding, like Simeon (Joshua 19:1), still share in the wider covenant community. son of Shimri • Shimri also appears in 1 Chronicles 4:26 and 1 Chronicles 9:21, showing how families branch and reconnect. • The duplication reinforces Psalm 145:4—“One generation will commend Your works to the next.” son of Shemaiah • Shemaiah, meaning “the LORD has heard,” anchors the entire line six generations back. • His name recalls Hannah’s declaration in 1 Samuel 1:20 (“Because I asked the LORD for him”), reminding us that every child—and every future leader—is an answer to prayer. summary 1 Chronicles 4:37 is more than a list of difficult-to-pronounce names; it is a testimony that God keeps meticulous track of His people, validates rightful leadership, and faithfully transmits covenant blessings from one generation to the next. The verse assures today’s reader that the same God who preserved Ziza’s lineage is still overseeing every family line, fulfilling His promises with perfect precision. |
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