1 Chronicles 4:1
The descendants of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.
The descendants of Judah:

The genealogy traces leading Judahite family lines rather than only Judah’s immediate sons. Judah received the royal promise in Jacob’s blessing, and his tribe became the source of David’s throne and the promised Messiah.

1Ch 2:3-5 The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah.…
Gen 49:8-10 Judah, your brothers shall praise you.…
Gen 29:35 And once more she conceived and gave birth to a son…

Perez,

Perez was born to Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38. God preserved the covenant line through human failure and brought forth the family from which David and Jesus Christ descended (Ruth 4:18–22; Matthew 1:3).

Gen 38:29 But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out,…
Rut 4:18 Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father…
Mat 1:3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar…

Hezron,

Hezron was Perez’s son and became an important ancestor within Judah. Through his son Ram came the line of Amminadab, Nahshon, David, and ultimately Christ (1 Chronicles 2:9–15; Matthew 1:3–6).

Gen 46:12 The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah;…
1Ch 2:9-10 The sons who were born to Hezron: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb.…
Luk 3:33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni…

Carmi,

Carmi represents another preserved house within Judah’s tribe. Scripture records little of his personal history, yet his inclusion shows that the Lord’s covenant work encompassed families whose names and service were known to Him.

1Ch 2:7 The son of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble upon Israel…
Jos 7:1 The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully…
Num 26:6 Hezronite clan from Hezron, and the Carmite clan…

Hur,

Hur descended from Hezron through Caleb and Ephrathah and was the father of Uri and grandfather of Bezalel, the chief craftsman of the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 2:18–20). He also stood with Aaron beside Moses during Israel’s battle with Amalek, helping uphold Moses’ hands until victory came (Exodus 17:10–12).

1Ch 2:19 When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath,…
Exo 31:2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri…”…
Exo 35:30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has…

and Shobal.

Shobal was Hur’s son and the founder of Kiriath-jearim (1 Chronicles 2:50). That city later sheltered the ark of the covenant for many years before David brought it to Jerusalem, linking Judah’s family history with Israel’s worship and the establishment of David’s kingdom.

1Ch 2:50 These were the descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur…
1Ch 2:52 These were the descendants of Shobal the father…
1Ch 2:53 the clans of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Judah
The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, Judah is a significant figure in biblical history. His lineage is crucial as it leads to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

2. Perez
The son of Judah and Tamar, Perez is an ancestor of King David. His name means "breach" or "burst forth," reflecting the circumstances of his birth.

3. Hezron
A descendant of Perez, Hezron is an important figure in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah. His lineage is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament.

4. Carmi
Although not much is detailed about Carmi in the Bible, he is listed among the descendants of Judah, indicating his role in the tribal lineage.

5. Hur
Traditionally believed to be a companion of Moses and Aaron, Hur is also noted as a descendant of Judah. He is associated with the tribe's leadership and craftsmanship.

6. Shobal
Known as a descendant of Judah, Shobal is linked to the family of Caleb and the city of Kiriath-jearim, indicating his influence in the region.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Lineage
Despite human failures and complex family dynamics, God's purposes prevail. The lineage of Judah, including Perez and Hezron, demonstrates God's ability to work through imperfect people to fulfill His divine plan.

The Importance of Heritage
Understanding our spiritual heritage can inspire us to live faithfully. Just as the descendants of Judah played a role in God's plan, we too are part of a larger account that God is weaving.

Faithfulness in the Ordinary
Many of the names listed in genealogies are not accompanied by grand accounts, yet they were crucial in God's plan. This reminds us that our everyday faithfulness matters in God's kingdom.

Legacy of Leadership
Judah's descendants, including leaders like Hur, show the importance of godly leadership. We are called to lead with integrity and faithfulness in our spheres of influence.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the lineage of Judah, as seen in 1 Chronicles 4:1, reflect God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can understanding our spiritual heritage impact our daily walk with God?

3. How does the account of Perez's birth in Genesis 38 illustrate God's ability to use imperfect situations for His purposes?

4. What lessons can we learn from the seemingly ordinary lives of those listed in biblical genealogies?

5. How can we apply the legacy of leadership seen in Judah's descendants to our own roles and responsibilities today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 38
This chapter provides the background account of Judah and Tamar, leading to the birth of Perez and Zerah, highlighting God's sovereignty in using imperfect circumstances for His purposes.

Ruth 4
The genealogy at the end of Ruth connects Perez to King David, emphasizing the importance of this lineage in God's redemptive plan.

Matthew 1
The genealogy of Jesus Christ traces His lineage through Judah, Perez, and Hezron, underscoring the fulfillment of God's promises through this line.
Survey of the GenealogyJames Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 4:1-43
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Adiel, Aharhel, Ahumai, Ahuzam, Allon, Amalek, Amalekites, Amaziah, Amnon, Anub, Asaiah, Asareel, Ashur, Asiel, Ben, Benaiah, Benhanan, Benzoheth, Bethrapha, Bethuel, Bilhah, Bithiah, Caleb, Carmi, Chelub, Coz, David, Elah, Elioenai, Epher, Ephratah, Ephrath, Er, Eshtemoa, Eshton, Ethnan, Ezer, Ezra, Garmite, Gedor, Haahashtari, Hakkoz, Ham, Hamites, Hamuel, Hanan, Harum, Hathath, Hazelelponi, Heber, Helah, Hepher, Hezekiah, Hezron, Hodiah, Hodijah, Hur, Idbash, Iru, Ishbah, Ishi, Ishma, Izhar, Jaakobah, Jabez, Jahath, Jalon, Jamin, Jamlech, Jarib, Jedaiah, Jehaleleel, Jehu, Jekuthiel, Jephunneh, Jered, Jeshohaiah, Jesimiel, Jether, Jezoar, Jezreel, Joab, Joash, Joel, Jokim, Joshah, Josibiah, Kenaz, Koz, Laadah, Lahad, Mehir, Meonothai, Mered, Meshobab, Meunim, Meunites, Mibsam, Miriam, Mishma, Naam, Naarah, Naham, Nahash, Neariah, Nemuel, Ophrah, Othniel, Paseah, Pelatiah, Penuel, Perez, Pharaoh, Pharez, Rapha, Reaiah, Rechah, Rephaiah, Rinnah, Saraph, Saul, Seir, Seraiah, Shallum, Shammai, Shaul, Shelah, Shemaiah, Shimei, Shimon, Shimri, Shiphi, Shobal, Shuah, Shual, Simeon, Simeonites, Tehinnah, Temeni, Tilon, Tiria, Uzziel, Zacchur, Zaccur, Zerah, Zereth, Ziphah, Ziza, Zobebah, Zohar, Zoheth, Zorathites, Zoreathites
Places
Ain, Ashan, Baal, Beersheba, Beth-biri, Beth-marcaboth, Bethuel, Bilhah, Cozeba, Etam, Ezem, Gederah, Gedor, Hazar-shual, Hazar-susim, Hormah, Jerusalem, Lehem, Moab, Moladah, Mount Seir, Netaim, Recah, Rimmon, Shaaraim, Tochen, Tolad, Ziklag
Topics
Carmi, Hezron, Hur, Judah, Perez, Pharez, Pherez, Shobal, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 3:10-19

     2540   Christ, genealogy

Library
The Ark among the Flags
'And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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