1 Chronicles 2:55

Authorized King James Version

And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּמִשְׁפְּח֤וֹת

H4940

And the families

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

סֹֽפְרִים֙

H5608

of the scribes

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

יֹשְׁבֵ֣ו

H3427

which dwelt

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יַעְבֵּ֔ץ

H3258

at Jabez

jabets, the name of an israelite, and also of a place in palestine

תִּרְעָתִ֥ים

H8654

the Tirathites

a tirathite or inhabitant of an unknown tirah

שִׁמְעָתִ֖ים

H8101

the Shimeathites

a shimathite (collectively) or descendants of shimah

שֽׂוּכָתִ֑ים

H7756

and Suchathites

a sukathite or descendant of an unknown israelite named sukah

הֵ֚מָּה

H1992

These

they (only used when emphatic)

הַקִּינִ֣ים

H7017

are the Kenites

a kenite or member of the tribe of kajin

#10

הַבָּאִ֔ים

H935

that came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#11

מֵֽחַמַּ֖ת

H2574

of Hemath

chamath, a place in syria

#12

אֲבִ֥י

the father

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#13

בֵית

H1004

of the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#14

רֵכָֽב׃

H7394

of Rechab

rekab, the name of two arabs and of two israelites

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?