This verse from 1 Chronicles 2:19 is a concise statement about genealogy and relationships within the tribe of Judah. Let's break it down:
Azubah died: This simply states that Azubah, who was previously married to Caleb (as mentioned in earlier verses), passed away.
Caleb married Ephrath: After Azubah's death, Caleb married another woman named Ephrath. This indicates a new marriage alliance.
Who bore him Hur: Ephrath, Caleb's new wife, gave birth to a son named Hur. This establishes Hur as a son of Caleb through Ephrath, and thus part of Caleb's lineage.
In essence, the verse highlights a shift in Caleb's lineage due to marriage and death:
The death of his first wife, Azubah, clears the way for a new marriage.
The marriage to Ephrath introduces a new line of descendants through their son, Hur.
Significance:
While seemingly simple, these genealogical details were crucial for several reasons in ancient Israel:
Land inheritance: Lineage determined rights to land ownership and inheritance within the tribal territories.
Social standing: Family lines influenced social status and access to positions of leadership.
Tracing ancestry: Genealogy was important for maintaining identity and connections to the past, especially in relation to the promises made to Abraham and his descendants.
Messianic lineage: Tracing ancestry was essential for identifying individuals who might be part of the Davidic line, which was believed to be the line of the Messiah.
Context:
This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Chronicles that meticulously details the genealogy of the tribe of Judah. The Chronicler was interested in preserving and organizing these family records, likely after the exile, to re-establish identity and social order within the community. This detailed lineage helps to understand the relationships and positions of various families within the tribe of Judah, particularly in relation to key figures like Caleb.
This verse from 1 Chronicles 2:19 is a concise statement about genealogy and relationships within the tribe of Judah. Let's break it down:
Azubah died: This simply states that Azubah, who was previously married to Caleb (as mentioned in earlier verses), passed away.
Caleb married Ephrath: After Azubah's death, Caleb married another woman named Ephrath. This indicates a new marriage alliance.
Who bore him Hur: Ephrath, Caleb's new wife, gave birth to a son named Hur. This establishes Hur as a son of Caleb through Ephrath, and thus part of Caleb's lineage.
In essence, the verse highlights a shift in Caleb's lineage due to marriage and death:
The death of his first wife, Azubah, clears the way for a new marriage.
The marriage to Ephrath introduces a new line of descendants through their son, Hur.
Significance:
While seemingly simple, these genealogical details were crucial for several reasons in ancient Israel:
Land inheritance: Lineage determined rights to land ownership and inheritance within the tribal territories.
Social standing: Family lines influenced social status and access to positions of leadership.
Tracing ancestry: Genealogy was important for maintaining identity and connections to the past, especially in relation to the promises made to Abraham and his descendants.
Messianic lineage: Tracing ancestry was essential for identifying individuals who might be part of the Davidic line, which was believed to be the line of the Messiah.
Context:
This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Chronicles that meticulously details the genealogy of the tribe of Judah. The Chronicler was interested in preserving and organizing these family records, likely after the exile, to re-establish identity and social order within the community. This detailed lineage helps to understand the relationships and positions of various families within the tribe of Judah, particularly in relation to key figures like Caleb.