1 Chronicles 4:17
The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. And Mered's wife Bithiah gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon.

Ezrah’s family is preserved among the clans of Judah, though these men are not otherwise prominent in Scripture. Their record reflects the continuing importance of family lines within Judah and the preservation of inherited tribal identity.

1Ch 1:33 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch…
Jdg 8:20 So he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.”…
Gen 46:12 The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah;…

And Mered’s wife Bithiah gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.

Mered’s household included Bithiah, whose Egyptian name means “daughter of Yah,” and their children Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah. Ishbah is identified as the ancestor or founder of Eshtemoa, connecting the family to a settled community in Judah. The genealogy records both family descent and the development of Judah’s towns and clans.

Exo 2:5-10 Soon the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe…
Exo 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister,…
Jos 15:50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezrah
A lesser-known figure in the genealogies of Judah, mentioned as the father of Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon.

2. Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon
Sons of Ezrah, with Mered being highlighted for his wife and children.

3. Mered's Wife
Not named in this verse, but significant for her children, including Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah.

4. Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah
Children of Mered's wife, with Ishbah noted as the father of Eshtemoa.

5. Eshtemoa
A place or possibly a person, known from other biblical references as a town in the territory of Judah.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogies
Genealogies in the Bible serve to connect individuals to the larger account of God's people. They remind us of our place in God's plan and the continuity of His promises through generations.

Significance of Names
Names in the Bible often carry deep meanings and connections. Reflect on the names in your own life and their significance in your spiritual journey.

Role of Women in Biblical Narratives
Though often unnamed, women play crucial roles in biblical genealogies and accounts. Recognize and appreciate the contributions of women in your faith community.

Legacy and Influence
Consider the legacy you are building. Like Mered's family, our actions and faith can influence future generations.

God's Sovereignty in History
The detailed genealogies remind us of God's sovereignty and His intricate involvement in human history. Trust in His plan for your life, even when it seems mundane.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the genealogies in 1 Chronicles about God's faithfulness to His people?

2. How does the mention of Eshtemoa in this verse connect to its significance in other parts of the Bible?

3. In what ways do the genealogies in the Bible encourage us to reflect on our own family histories and spiritual legacies?

4. How can understanding the role of women in biblical genealogies enhance our appreciation for their contributions to God's account?

5. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith and values are passed down to future generations, as seen in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 15:20
Miriam is a common name in the Bible, most notably the sister of Moses and Aaron, who led the women of Israel in song after crossing the Red Sea. This connection highlights the significance of names and their recurring use in biblical accounts.

Joshua 15:50
Eshtemoa is listed as a town in the hill country of Judah, indicating its geographical and tribal importance.

1 Chronicles 2:50-52
Provides additional genealogical context for the descendants of Judah, showing the interconnectedness of the tribes and families.
Survey of the GenealogyJames Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 4:1-43
General Truths from Genealogical TablesW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 4:11-43
Craftsmen, Potters, EtcBishop Hall.1 Chronicles 4:14-23
Origin and Use of Arts and InventionsJames Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 4:14-23
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
Bare, Beareth, Birth, Bithia, Bithiah, Bith'i-ah, Bore, Conceived, Daughter, Epher, Eshtemoa, Eshtemo'a, Ezra, Ezrah, Ishbah, Jalon, Jether, Jethur, Jishbah, Married, Mered, Mered's, Miriam, Pharaoh, Shammai, Sham'mai, Sons, Wife, Wives
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 4:14

     5272   craftsmen

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

Links
1 Chronicles 4:17 NIV
1 Chronicles 4:17 NLT
1 Chronicles 4:17 ESV
1 Chronicles 4:17 NASB
1 Chronicles 4:17 KJV

1 Chronicles 4:17 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Chronicles 4:16
Top of Page
Top of Page