1 Chronicles 1:17

Authorized King James Version

The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּנֵ֣י
The sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
שֵׁ֔ם
of Shem
shem, a son of noah (often including his posterity)
#3
עֵילָ֣ם
Elam
elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites
#4
וְאַשּׁ֔וּר
and Asshur
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
#5
וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד
and Arphaxad
arpakshad, a son of noah; also the region settled by him
#6
וְל֣וּד
and Lud
lud, the name of two nations
#7
וַֽאֲרָ֑ם
and Aram
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
#8
וְע֥וּץ
and Uz
uts, a son of aram, also a seirite, and the regions settled by them
#9
וְח֖וּל
and Hul
chul, a son of aram; also the region settled by him
#10
וְגֶ֥תֶר
and Gether
gether, a son of aram, and the region settled by him
#11
וָמֶֽשֶׁךְ׃
and Meshech
meshek, a son of japheth, and the people descended from him

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection