Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

4:1-7 The genealogy of Judah continues, with links back to 2:1-55. The connection to Hur, the ancestor of Bethlehem, is provided immediately (4:1-4; see 2:19-20, 51-55).

Verse 9

4:9-20 The exact genealogies of the remaining descendants of Judah are unknown—the Chronicler apparently had incomplete information.

4:9-10 The section on Jabez stands independently, allowing the Chronicler to explain the origin of his name; he is not mentioned previously, although Jabez was listed as the name of a town inhabited by some of the descendants of Hur’s son Salma (2:55). Jabez apparently received his name because he caused his mother pain, a fulfillment of the curse on Eve (Gen 3:16). Although his name was a curse, he was more honorable than any of his brothers, and his prayer changed the outcome of his life. The prayer is poetic; it consists of a plea for blessing followed by requests for prosperity and protection from harm. His last request might mean “keep me from causing trouble and pain.” God listened to his prayer and removed his curse.

Verse 13

4:13-15 The name Kenaz also appears as a descendant of Esau by Eliphaz (Gen 36:11); his descendants are known as the Kenizzites. The Kenizzites lived in the southern part of the land and had affiliations with Judah and Edom. Caleb son of Jephunneh was a Kenizzite (Num 32:12; Josh 14:6) and had a brother named Kenaz (Josh 15:17), whose family is listed here.

Verse 18

4:18 Through Mered’s wife Bithia, a daughter of Pharaoh, the descendants of Judah included children of Egyptian heritage.

Verse 21

4:21-23 Now that Judah’s descendants through his wife Tamar have been recorded (2:4–4:20), the descendants of Shelah, Judah’s third son through Bathshua, are listed (see 2:3; Gen 38:2, 5).

Verse 24

4:24–8:40 After completing the genealogy of Judah’s descendants (2:3–4:23), the Chronicler turns to the records for the rest of the sons of Israel (cp. 2:1-2).

4:24-43 Simeon was Jacob’s second son; his tribe’s territory was in the southern part of Judah (Josh 19:1-9).

Verse 34

4:34-43 The list of men described as leaders of Simeon’s wealthy clans (4:34-38) introduces the description of Simeon’s geographic expansion (4:38-43). The tribe’s expansion involved thirteen family leaders during the days of Hezekiah (late 700s BC) in the area of Gerar. This might have been part of Hezekiah’s military action against Philistine territories (2 Kgs 18:8).

Verse 39

4:39 Gerar: The actual territory is not certain, since Gedor (as in Hebrew) is a common name; the Greek variant Gerar would refer to a city in Philistia, to the west of Judah (Gen 10:19).

Verse 41

4:41 completely destroyed: See “Complete Destruction” Theme Note.