This verse from 1 Chronicles 2:21 is part of a genealogy. Let's break it down to understand its meaning within the context of the surrounding verses:
"Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead..." This tells us that after some unspecified event (likely mentioned earlier in the genealogy), Hezron had sexual relations with the daughter of Machir, who is identified as the father of Gilead. "Went in to" is a euphemism for having sexual intercourse.
"...whom he took as wife when he was sixty years old..." This clarifies that Hezron married Machir's daughter and that he was 60 years old at the time of their marriage.
"...and she bore him Segub." This means that Machir's daughter gave birth to a son named Segub, who was fathered by Hezron.
In essence, the verse conveys these key points:
Marriage: Hezron married the daughter of Machir.
Age: Hezron was 60 years old at the time of the marriage.
Offspring: Hezron and Machir's daughter had a son named Segub.
Why is this important in the context of 1 Chronicles?
1 Chronicles is primarily concerned with tracing the genealogy of the people of Israel, particularly the line of David. These genealogical details are crucial for:
Establishing tribal identity: Knowing one's lineage was essential for determining which tribe one belonged to and what land rights or obligations one had.
Preserving history: Genealogies were a way of remembering and passing down the history of families and the nation.
Messianic hope: The lineage was important because it was believed that the Messiah would come from the line of David. Thus, tracking the genealogy was a way of maintaining hope for the future.
So, while this specific verse might seem like a simple statement of facts, it plays a role in the larger purpose of establishing the ancestral roots and connections of key figures within the history of Israel. Hezron is part of the lineage that will eventually lead to David and, according to Christian belief, to Jesus. The mention of Machir also ties Hezron to important families and territories.
This verse from 1 Chronicles 2:21 is part of a genealogy. Let's break it down to understand its meaning within the context of the surrounding verses:
"Afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead..." This tells us that after some unspecified event (likely mentioned earlier in the genealogy), Hezron had sexual relations with the daughter of Machir, who is identified as the father of Gilead. "Went in to" is a euphemism for having sexual intercourse.
"...whom he took as wife when he was sixty years old..." This clarifies that Hezron married Machir's daughter and that he was 60 years old at the time of their marriage.
"...and she bore him Segub." This means that Machir's daughter gave birth to a son named Segub, who was fathered by Hezron.
In essence, the verse conveys these key points:
Marriage: Hezron married the daughter of Machir.
Age: Hezron was 60 years old at the time of the marriage.
Offspring: Hezron and Machir's daughter had a son named Segub.
Why is this important in the context of 1 Chronicles?
1 Chronicles is primarily concerned with tracing the genealogy of the people of Israel, particularly the line of David. These genealogical details are crucial for:
Establishing tribal identity: Knowing one's lineage was essential for determining which tribe one belonged to and what land rights or obligations one had.
Preserving history: Genealogies were a way of remembering and passing down the history of families and the nation.
Messianic hope: The lineage was important because it was believed that the Messiah would come from the line of David. Thus, tracking the genealogy was a way of maintaining hope for the future.
So, while this specific verse might seem like a simple statement of facts, it plays a role in the larger purpose of establishing the ancestral roots and connections of key figures within the history of Israel. Hezron is part of the lineage that will eventually lead to David and, according to Christian belief, to Jesus. The mention of Machir also ties Hezron to important families and territories.