This verse from 1 Chronicles 4:27 is part of a genealogical record, specifically focusing on the descendants of the tribe of Judah. Let's break it down:
"Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters...": This indicates that Shimei was a very fertile and prolific man. Having a large family was often seen as a blessing in ancient Israelite society.
"...but his brothers didn’t have many children...": This contrasts Shimei's large family with his brothers, who were less fertile or perhaps had fewer offspring who survived to adulthood.
"...and all their family did not multiply like the children of Judah.": This is the key comparative statement. It means that the overall family of Shimei's brothers, taken as a whole, did not grow as rapidly or abundantly as the general population of the tribe of Judah. This could be due to a variety of factors: disease, lower birth rates, higher infant mortality, or perhaps some men dying without leaving descendants.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
Divine Favor: Large families were often seen as a sign of God's blessing. The contrast between Shimei's family and his brothers' suggests that Shimei may have been particularly favored by God.
Demographic Information: The verse provides a glimpse into the demographic realities of the time. It shows that population growth within a tribe could be uneven and that some families flourished while others did not.
Importance of Lineage: The book of Chronicles emphasizes genealogy and lineage. Tracking these family lines was important for determining land ownership, social status, and maintaining tribal identity. The fact that this detail is recorded shows its significance.
God's Sovereignty: Some interpretations might see this as an example of God's sovereignty in determining who prospers and who doesn't. However, it's important to note that the Bible doesn't always explicitly state the reason for such differences in fertility.
In summary: This verse highlights the contrast between Shimei's very large family and the smaller families of his brothers within the tribe of Judah. It suggests that Shimei was particularly blessed with offspring and that, comparatively, his brothers' descendants did not flourish to the same extent as the overall population of the tribe. The verse contributes to the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles and underscores the importance of lineage and family within the context of ancient Israelite society.
This verse from 1 Chronicles 4:27 is part of a genealogical record, specifically focusing on the descendants of the tribe of Judah. Let's break it down:
"Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters...": This indicates that Shimei was a very fertile and prolific man. Having a large family was often seen as a blessing in ancient Israelite society.
"...but his brothers didn’t have many children...": This contrasts Shimei's large family with his brothers, who were less fertile or perhaps had fewer offspring who survived to adulthood.
"...and all their family did not multiply like the children of Judah.": This is the key comparative statement. It means that the overall family of Shimei's brothers, taken as a whole, did not grow as rapidly or abundantly as the general population of the tribe of Judah. This could be due to a variety of factors: disease, lower birth rates, higher infant mortality, or perhaps some men dying without leaving descendants.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
Divine Favor: Large families were often seen as a sign of God's blessing. The contrast between Shimei's family and his brothers' suggests that Shimei may have been particularly favored by God.
Demographic Information: The verse provides a glimpse into the demographic realities of the time. It shows that population growth within a tribe could be uneven and that some families flourished while others did not.
Importance of Lineage: The book of Chronicles emphasizes genealogy and lineage. Tracking these family lines was important for determining land ownership, social status, and maintaining tribal identity. The fact that this detail is recorded shows its significance.
God's Sovereignty: Some interpretations might see this as an example of God's sovereignty in determining who prospers and who doesn't. However, it's important to note that the Bible doesn't always explicitly state the reason for such differences in fertility.
In summary: This verse highlights the contrast between Shimei's very large family and the smaller families of his brothers within the tribe of Judah. It suggests that Shimei was particularly blessed with offspring and that, comparatively, his brothers' descendants did not flourish to the same extent as the overall population of the tribe. The verse contributes to the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles and underscores the importance of lineage and family within the context of ancient Israelite society.