1 Chronicles 4:39
And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙
H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 9
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִמְב֣וֹא
to the entrance
H3996
לִמְב֣וֹא
to the entrance
Strong's:
H3996
Word #:
2 of 9
an entrance (the place or the act); specifically sunset or the west; also (adverb with preposition) towards
גְדֹ֔ר
of Gedor
H1446
גְדֹ֔ר
of Gedor
Strong's:
H1446
Word #:
3 of 9
gedor, a place in palestine; also the name of three israelites
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 9
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַגָּ֑יְא
of the valley
H1516
הַגָּ֑יְא
of the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
6 of 9
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ
to seek
H1245
לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ
to seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
7 of 9
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
Cross References
1 Chronicles 4:18And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took.1 Chronicles 4:4And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Beth-lehem.Joshua 15:58Halhul, Beth-zur, and Gedor,
Historical Context
This expansion occurred during Hezekiah's reforms (c. 715-686 BC), when Assyria had destroyed northern Israel. Some northern tribes like Simeonite clans found refuge in Judah, maintaining identity. Their aggressive expansion southward suggests population pressure and economic necessity. The Chronicler preserves this as example of tribal vitality during monarchy's twilight.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Simeonites' diligent seeking of pasture illustrate the persistent pursuit required in spiritual life?
- What does this minor tribe's maintained identity through Israel's collapse teach about faithfulness when larger structures fail?
Analysis & Commentary
And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks—this describes Simeonite expansion seeking גְּדוֹר (Gedor, location debated), illustrating tribal movements pursuing resources. The phrase 'seek pasture' (לְבַקֵּשׁ מִרְעֶה, levakesh mireh) describes nomadic-pastoral economy's demands—tribes needed extensive grazing lands for livestock survival.
The passage (vv. 38-43) records Simeonite conquest of Hamite populations during Hezekiah's reign, demonstrating continued tribal identity and expansion even after 722 BC northern kingdom's fall. While Israel proper collapsed, Judah's southern tribes maintained covenant consciousness and territorial claims. This faithfulness through turbulent times preserved them for return from Babylonian exile generations later. Persistent seeking—whether pasture or God's purposes—characterizes covenant faithfulness.