1 Chronicles 2:37 — Word Study
WLCוְזָבָד֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ אֶפְלָ֔ל וְאֶפְלָ֖ל הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־ עוֹבֵֽד׃
BSA◂ZabadZâbâd [a descendant of Judah, one of David's mighty warriors] was the father ofyâlad■ [to beget, generate] ◂EphlalʼEphlâl [intercessor, prayer] ◂EphlalʼEphlâl was the father ofyâlad■ [to beget, generate] ObedʻÔwbêd [serving, a servant of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְזָבָד֙ | and Zabad | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| הוֹלִ֣יד | he fathered | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| אֶפְלָ֔ל | Ephlal | Noun proper masculine |
| וְאֶפְלָ֖ל | and Ephlal | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| הוֹלִ֥יד | he fathered | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| עוֹבֵֽד׃ | Obed | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Zabad was the father of Ephlal, Ephlal was the father of Obed, |
| KJV | And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed, |
| ASV | and Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed, |
| YLT | and Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed, |
| WEB | and Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed, |
| BBE | And Zabad was the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal was the father of Obed, |
Where they part company is הוֹלִ֣יד — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses connected by the genealogy structure, each indicating a father-son relationship.
3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectזָבָד
verbיָלַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 2:37
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Genealogy of Judahgenerated
1 Chronicles 2:37 is part of a genealogical record that outlines the lineage of the tribe of Judah, detailing the descendants of Zabad, Ephlal, and Obed. This genealogy emphasizes the continuity of the family line leading to significant biblical figures, including King David. The passage highlights the importance of familial relationships in the history of Israel, particularly in the context of God's covenant with His people.
Cross References
The Key Word — הוֹלִ֣יד, ho.Lidgenerated
The verb הוֹלִיד (*yalad*) means to father or beget, indicating the act of bringing forth descendants. It is a Hiphil form, which emphasizes the causative aspect of the action, meaning Zabad caused Ephlal to come into being.
This word is commonly used in genealogies throughout the Old Testament, signifying the importance of lineage in the biblical narrative. The use of this verb here connects Zabad directly to Ephlal, establishing a clear paternal relationship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb הוֹלִ֣יד governs the main clause, indicating the action of fathering. The structure consists of two main clauses: Zabad fathered Ephlal, and Ephlal fathered Obed, showcasing a straightforward genealogical listing.
The Hebrew word order places the subjects before the verbs, emphasizing the lineage and the act of fathering, which is central to the genealogy.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הוֹלִ֣יד as ἐγέννησεν (*egennēsen*), which also means 'to beget' or 'to give birth.' This choice maintains the genealogical context while using a Greek term familiar to the Hellenistic audience.
The use of ἐγέννησεν reflects a direct translation of the Hebrew concept of fathering, indicating continuity in the understanding of lineage from Hebrew to Greek.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 2:37 tells us that Zabad was the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal was the father of Obed. This verse is part of a genealogy that traces the lineage of important figures in Israel's history, highlighting familial connections.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that Zabad was the ancestor of Ephlal, emphasizing the importance of lineage in biblical narratives.
Genealogies establish identity, heritage, and the fulfillment of God's promises through specific family lines.
Obed is noted as a significant figure in the lineage of King David, being the son of Boaz and Ruth.
This verse contributes to the understanding of God's covenant with Israel through the lineage of Judah, leading to significant biblical events.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can I learn from the lineage of Zabad about the importance of family in my own life?
- How does understanding genealogies in the Bible help me appreciate God's promises?
- In what ways can I honor my own family history and heritage?
- How can I see God's hand in the generations that have come before me?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 2:37 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleVer. 37 [See comments on 1 Chronicles 2:35].
Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Attai begat Nathan, and Nathan begat Zabad, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 2 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9-41) The Hezronites, who were sons of Pharez (1 Chronicles 2:5), and their three lines of descent, Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 2 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Zabad was the father of Ephlal, Ephlal was the father of Obed,
and Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed,
Zabad was the father of Ephlal, Ephlal was the father of Obed,
Zabad was the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal was the father of Obed.
Tyndale line
And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed,
and Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed,
and Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed;
And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed,
And Zabad begate Ephlal, and Ephlal begate Obed,
Strictly literal
and Zabad begot Ephlal, and Ephlal begot Obed,
and Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat Obed,
and Zabad begot Ephlal, and Ephlal begot Obed,
And Zabad begat Ephlal, and Ephlal begat 'Obed.
Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed.
From the Latin
And Zabad beget Ophlal, and Ophlal beget Obed.
Simplified
Zabad was the father of Ephlal, Ephlal was the father of Obed,
And Zabad was the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal was the father of Obed,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their presentation of this verse, with five of the eight words matching directly. The differences in word order and articles in the Septuagint reflect its own syntactical style rather than a variation in content.
וְזָבָד֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ אֶפְלָ֔ל וְאֶפְלָ֖ל הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־ עוֹבֵֽד׃
5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 2:37
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word זָבָד (*Zabad*) means 'he endows' and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament. It is built from the root meaning 'giver' and encompasses a descendant of Judah, an Ephraimite, and a warrior of David. Notably, it includes figures involved in conspiracies and those who returned from exile, as mentioned in various contexts, including 1 Chronicles and Ezra.
זָבָד n.pr.m. (he hath given, or, a gift)
a descendant of Judah
an Ephraimite
one of David’s valiant men
one of the murderers of Joash of Judah
name of three returned exiles who had taken strange wives
base
H2066 זָבָד
2066 Zabad zaw-bawd'
from 2064; giver; Zabad, the name of seven
Israelites:--Zabad.
see HEBREW for 02064
זָבָד (za.vad) — Zabad.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.36;
son of: Nathan (H5416J);
father of: Ephlal (H0654)
§ Zabad = "he endows"
1) a descendant of Judah; son of Nathan, grandson of Attai, great grandson of Ahlai Sheshan's daughter
2) son of Tahath
3) one of David's mighty warriors (could be the same as 1 above)
4) son of Shimeath, an Ammonitess; a conspirator against and, with Jehozabad, the murderer of Joash (also called 'Jozachar')
5) one of the sons of Zattu, who put away his foreign wife at the command of Ezra
6) one of the descendants of Hashum, who, in the time of Ezra, had a foreign wife
7) one of the sons of Nebo, who had a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
זָבָד (za.vad) — Zabad.
A man of the tribe of Ephraim living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.21;
son of: Tahath (H8480J);
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
za'-bad (zabhadh, perhaps a contraction for (1) zebhadhyah, "Yahweh has given," i.e. Zebadiah; or (2) zabhdi'el, "El (God) is my gift" (HPN, 222 f); Zabed(t), with many variants):
(1) A Jerahmeelite (1Ch 2:36,37), son of Nathan (see NATHAN, IV).
(2) An Ephraimite, son of Tahath (1Ch 7:21).
(3) Son of Ahlai (1Ch 11:41) and one of David's mighty men (the name is wanting in 2Sa 23:24-29).
(4) Son of Shimeath the Ammonitess (2Ch 26); he was one of the murderers of King Joash of Judah; called "Jozacar" in 2Ki 12:21 (Hebrew verse 22). Perhaps the name in Chronicles should be Zacar (zakhar),
Zabad
Gift. (1.) One of David’s valiant men (1 Chr. 11:41), the descendant of Ahlai, of the “children of Sheshan” (2:31).
(2.) A descendant of Tahath (7:21).
(3.) The son of Shemath. He conspired against Joash, king of Judah, and slew him (2 Chr. 24:25, 26). He is called also Jozachar (2 Kings 12:21).
(gift). Son of Nathan son of Attai, son of Ahlai Sheshan’s daughter, (1 Chronicles 2:31-37) and hence called son of Ahlai. (1 Chronicles 11:41) (B.C. 1046.) He was one of David’s mighty men but none of his deeds have been recorded. The chief interest connected with him is in his genealogy, which is of considerable importance in a chronological point of view. An Ephraimite, if the text of (1 Chronicles 7:21) Isa correct. Son of Shimeath, an Ammonitess; an assassin who, with Jehozabad, slew King Joash, according to (2 Chronicles 24:26) (B.C. 840); but in (2 Kings 12:21) his name is written, probably more correctly…
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singularHVhp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
אֶפְלָל (Ephlal) is a proper name referring to an Israelite from the tribe of Judah, specifically mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:37. The name is derived from the root meaning 'to judge' and is associated with the meaning 'intercessor.' Ephlal is noted as a descendant of Pharez, son of Zabad, and father of Obed.
אֶפְלָל n.pr.m. in Judah
base
H654 אֶפְלָל
654 'Ephlal ef-lawl'
from 6419; judge; Ephlal, an Israelite:--Ephlal.
see HEBREW for 06419
אֶפְלָל (eph.lal) — Ephlal.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.37;
son of: Zabad (H2066);
father of: Obed (H5744H)
§ Ephlal = "intercessor"
a descendant of Pharez
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
ef'-lal ('ephlal, "judgment"):
A descendant of Judah (1Ch 2:37).
(judgment), a descendant of Judah, of the family of Hezron and of Jerahmeel. (1 Chronicles 2:37)
→ A descendant of Pharez 1Ch 2:37
אֶפְלָל (Ephlal) is a proper name referring to an Israelite from the tribe of Judah, specifically mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:37. The name is derived from the root meaning 'to judge' and is associated with the meaning 'intercessor.' Ephlal is noted as a descendant of Pharez, son of Zabad, and father of Obed.
אֶפְלָל n.pr.m. in Judah
base
H654 אֶפְלָל
654 'Ephlal ef-lawl'
from 6419; judge; Ephlal, an Israelite:--Ephlal.
see HEBREW for 06419
אֶפְלָל (eph.lal) — Ephlal.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.37;
son of: Zabad (H2066);
father of: Obed (H5744H)
§ Ephlal = "intercessor"
a descendant of Pharez
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
ef'-lal ('ephlal, "judgment"):
A descendant of Judah (1Ch 2:37).
(judgment), a descendant of Judah, of the family of Hezron and of Jerahmeel. (1 Chronicles 2:37)
→ A descendant of Pharez 1Ch 2:37
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singularHVhp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
The Hebrew word עוֹבֵד (*o.ved*) means 'serving' and is primarily associated with the name Obed, who is noted as the son of Boaz and Ruth, and the grandfather of David. The entries indicate multiple individuals named Obed in the Old Testament, including warriors and gatekeepers, primarily from the tribe of Judah. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding this word.
עוֹבֵד, עֹבֵד n.pr.m. (worshipper)
son of Boaz and Ruth
names in Judah
a mighty man of David
a doorkeeper
base
H5744 עוֹבֵד, עֹבֵד (worshipper). son of Boaz and Ruth
. names in Judah
. a mighty man of David
. a doorkeeper
5744 `Owbed o-bade'
active participle of 5647; serving; Obed, the name of five
Israelites:--Obed.
see HEBREW for 05647
עוֹבֵד (o.ved) — Obed.
A man of the tribe of Judah living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17;
son of: Boaz (H1162) and Ruth (H7327);
father of: Jesse (H3448)
Also named: Ōbēd (Ὠβήδ "Obed" G5601)
§ Obed = "serving"
1) son of Boaz by Ruth and the grandfather of David
2) a Judaite, a descendant of Jarha, the Egyptian slave of Sheshan, in the line of Jerahmeel
3) a Judaite, father of Azariah, one of the captains of hundreds who joined with Jehoiada in the revolution by which Athaliah fell
4) one of David's mighty warriors
5) son of Shemaiah and a gatekeeper of the temple
עוֹבֵד (o.ved) — Obed.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.37;
son of: Ephlal (H0654);
father of: Jehu (H3058I)
§ Obed = "serving"
1) son of Boaz by Ruth and the grandfather of David
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
(serving). Son of Boaz and Ruth the Moabitess and father of Jesse. (Ruth 4:17) (B.C. 1360.) The circumstances of his birth which make up all that we know about him are given with much beauty in the book of Ruth. The name of Obed occurs only (Ruth 4:17) and in the four genealogies, (Ruth 4:21,22; 1 Chronicles 2:12; Matthew 1:5; Luke 3:32) A descendant of Jarha, the Egyptian slave of Sheshan, in the line of Jerahmeel. (1 Chronicles 2:37,38) (B.C. after 1014.) One of David’s mighty men. (