1 Chronicles 2:42-55

content/bible_journal/1chronicles_2:42-55.md

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
++++
+title = "1 Chronicles 2:42–55"
+date = "2023-09-01"
++++
+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1Chronicles2.42-55)
+
+After detailing the line of Jerahmeel, we go back to the line of Caleb and get
+even more descendants. None of the names listed in these verses match up to the
+ones given in verses 18 to 20. They aren't even close. Sometimes names will be
+altered like "Chelubai" becoming "Caleb" later on, but those are fairly close
+if you aren't strict with the vowel sounds. It's possible that the "Eprath" (or
+"Eprhathah"?) from v. 19 got her name shortened to "Ephah" in v. 46. Then
+again, it might be a copy error, because "Ephah" is the name of a son of Jahdai
+in v. 47. Who is Jahdai, though, and why doesn't this genealogy say who begat
+him or her? Unfortunately, I have not been able to find an answer.
+
+Finally in the middle of verse 50 we see a familiar name: Hur the son of Caleb.
+However his list of sons doesn't include Uri from v. 20. It's very strange to
+me that all of these family lines are so disconnected in the text, without
+markers of some kind to show you where the line had left off when there is a
+reason to take a break. The genealogies in Genesis, Matthew, and Luke are much
+neater.
+
+The Reformation Study Bible has a note explaining that to say someone is the
+father of a town probably means that they founded it, or were the leader of
+that place. It's hard to know when the Israelites conquered Canaan which towns
+were sacked and taken over versus which might be built fresh later on as the
+people expanded.
+
+In addition to the Judahites living in these towns, we are also given a list of
+clans of scribes. These are descended from the Kenites, which were not children
+of Israel directly, but had been adopted into God's people long ago. Moses's
+wife was a Kenite, and her father's family traveled with them into the land of
+Canaan and dwelt there as part of the tribe of Judah. ([Judges
+1:16](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Judges1.16))
+
+* * *
+
+Even when we don't understand perfectly, we trust You to be in control, perfect
+in Your knowledge and power.