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1 Chronicles 1

1
Adam, Seth, Enosh,
2
Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,
3
Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4
Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
5
The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
6
The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.
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The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
8
The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
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The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
10
Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth.
11
Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,
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Pathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from), and Caphtorim.
13
Canaan became the father of Sidon his firstborn, Heth,
14
the Jebusite, the Amorite, the Girgashite,
15
the Hivite, the Arkite, the Sinite,
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the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
17
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
18
Arpachshad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber.
19
To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.
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Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,
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Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
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Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,
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Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
24
Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,
25
Eber, Peleg, Reu,
26
Serug, Nahor, Terah,
27
Abram (also called Abraham).
28
The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.
29
These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
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Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
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Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.
32
The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.
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The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.
34
Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
35
The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
36
The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek.
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The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38
The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
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The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister.
40
The sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
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The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
42
The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
43
Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44
Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
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Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
46
Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.
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Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
48
Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.
49
Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
50
Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
51
Then Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
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chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
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chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
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chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.
Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter presents an extensive genealogy tracing the descendants of Adam through Noah, Abraham, and Esau, culminating in the rulers and chiefs of Edom. It serves as a foundational record, establishing the lineage of nations and peoples in relation to Israel, particularly highlighting the origins of those surrounding the promised land. Positioned at the outset of 1 Chronicles, it sets a historical and theological framework for the narrative to follow by emphasizing God’s orderly unfolding of human history from creation to the patriarchs.

Flow.

  • Begins with Adam and proceeds through Seth to Noah, outlining the line of humanity before and after the flood.
  • Traces the divisions of Noah’s sons—Japheth, Ham, and Shem—and their respective offspring, identifying the nations formed from them.
  • Focuses on the lineage from Shem to Abraham, then details the offspring of Ishmael, Isaac, and Esau.
  • Concludes with the kings and chiefs of Edom, establishing a political genealogy parallel to the familial lines earlier in the chapter.

Connections.
Following the creation and patriarchal narratives implied in Genesis, this chapter provides a compressed historical sweep that links the universal scope of early Genesis to the particular story of Israel’s ancestors. It bridges the primeval history of mankind with the election of Abraham and the rise of Israel’s neighbors, particularly Edom, whose kings are listed before any king ruled over Israel—a detail that anticipates the monarchy theme developed later. This prepares for chapter 2, which shifts focus to the tribes of Israel and especially the lineage of Judah, narrowing the scope from nations to the chosen line through which David and the covenant promises will descend.

What it teaches.
The orderly genealogical structure reflects God’s sovereign governance over nations and history, affirming that He has “determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live” (cf. WCF 5.1). The inclusion of both Israel and her neighbors underscores the unity of the human race descended from Adam (WCF 4.2), while the distinction of Abraham’s line highlights divine election (WCF 6.1). The mention of Nimrod as “a mighty one in the earth” and the division of the earth in Peleg’s time () resonate with Genesis and affirm the reliability of sacred history. The Edomite kings predate Israel’s monarchy, illustrating God’s providential ordering of nations (WCF 5.1), and their listing ends not with a king but chiefs, possibly indicating instability—foreshadowing Israel’s need for divinely appointed rule.

Apply.
The record of nations rising and falling under God’s sovereignty directs attention to His faithfulness in preserving a people for His name.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.