1 Chronicles 2:18
And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.
Original Language Analysis
בָנֶ֔יהָ
her sons
H1121
בָנֶ֔יהָ
her sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
חֶצְר֗וֹן
of Hezron
H2696
חֶצְר֗וֹן
of Hezron
Strong's:
H2696
Word #:
3 of 14
chetsron, the name of a place in palestine; also of two israelites
הוֹלִ֛יד
begat
H3205
הוֹלִ֛יד
begat
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
4 of 14
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
children of
H854
וְאֶת
children of
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בָנֶ֔יהָ
her sons
H1121
בָנֶ֔יהָ
her sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Historical Context
The Chronicler compiled these genealogies from ancient family records, court archives, and Genesis-Samuel materials. For post-exilic Jews, proving Judahite descent meant legitimate claims to ancestral lands. Names like 'forsaken' remind us these records preserved real people's stories, not just data.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the name 'Azubah' (forsaken) remind you that God includes and redeems those whom society marginalizes?
- What does the preservation of complex family details teach about God's concern for the particulars of our lives?
Analysis & Commentary
Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth—this Caleb differs from the faithful spy (Numbers 13-14); this is Caleb ben Hezron of Judah's early generations. The Hebrew עֲזוּבָה (Azubah) means 'forsaken,' a poignant name perhaps reflecting circumstances of her birth. יְרִיעוֹת (Jerioth) means 'tent curtains,' possibly indicating Bedouin connections.
The text's grammar creates interpretive challenges—whether Azubah and Jerioth were co-wives or whether Jerioth identifies Azubah's children. Either way, the complexity reflects real family dynamics. These genealogical details weren't mere antiquarianism but established land claims and inheritance rights for post-exilic returnees reclaiming Judah's territory.