The sons of Simeon
This phrase introduces the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Simeon was the second son of Jacob and Leah. The tribe of Simeon is often associated with the southern part of the land of Israel, and its history is intertwined with that of the tribe of Judah. The genealogical records in Chronicles serve to remind the Israelites of their heritage and God's faithfulness to His covenant people. The listing of names underscores the importance of family lineage and the fulfillment of God's promises through generations.

Nemuel
The name Nemuel means "Day of God" or "God's Day" in Hebrew. This name reflects the cultural and religious significance of naming in ancient Israel, where names often carried theological meanings or expressed the parents' hopes for their children. Nemuel's inclusion in the genealogy highlights the continuity of the Simeonite line and God's ongoing relationship with His people.

Jamin
Jamin means "Right Hand" or "South" in Hebrew. The right hand is often symbolic of strength and favor in biblical literature. This name may suggest a position of honor or strength within the tribe. The mention of Jamin in the genealogy serves as a reminder of the diverse roles and characteristics within the tribes of Israel, each contributing to the nation's identity and mission.

Jarib
The name Jarib means "He Contends" or "He Pleads" in Hebrew. This name could imply a role of advocacy or leadership within the tribe. In the broader biblical narrative, the act of contending or pleading is often associated with intercession or standing up for justice. Jarib's presence in the genealogy may symbolize the tribe's role in upholding justice and righteousness within the community.

Zerah
Zerah means "Rising" or "Dawning" in Hebrew. This name evokes imagery of new beginnings and hope. In the context of the genealogy, Zerah's name may symbolize the renewal and continuation of God's promises to His people. The dawn is often used in Scripture as a metaphor for God's faithfulness and the hope of redemption.

Shaul
The name Shaul means "Asked For" or "Prayed For" in Hebrew. This name reflects the practice of seeking God's guidance and blessing through prayer. Shaul's inclusion in the genealogy highlights the importance of prayer and dependence on God in the life of the Israelite community. It serves as a reminder that the tribes of Israel were not only defined by their lineage but also by their relationship with God.

III.--THE TRIBE OF SIMEON: ITS CLANS, AND THEIR SETTLEMENTS AND CONQUESTS (1Chronicles 4:24-43).

(24) The sons of Simeon.--The Pentateuch contains three lists of sons of Simeon, viz., Genesis 46:10, Exodus 6:15, and Numbers 26:12. Genesis and Exodus name six sons; Numbers agrees with the Chronicles in naming five, the Ohad of Genesis and Exodus being omitted. In place of our Jarib Numbers has Jachin; the other names are the same. Genesis and Exodus read Jemuel and Zohar for Nemuel and Zerah. Exodus 6:15 calls Shaul "son of a Canaanitess." The mixed race of Shaul was the only Simeonite clan that became populous (1Chronicles 4:25-27). The other clans are not further noticed by this genealogy. . . .

Verses 24-27. - The second of the twelve tribes is now taken, and occupies but small space as compared with Judah preceding, or Levi and Benjamin when their turn comes. The comparison of the enumeration of the sons of Simeon here with that in Genesis 46:10, Exodus 6:15, is helpful in detaching the idea that the compiler of Chronicles copied direct from Genesis and Exodus, or that he depended exclusively on identical sources of information. That comparison shows six names in both of those passages for only five here, and it shows also difference in three of the names, viz. Jemuel, Zohar, and Jachin, for Nemuel, Zeta, and Jarib. On the other hand, the list of Numbers 26:12 is in exact agreement with our list here (the omission of Ohad in both being sufficiently accounted for by one and the same reason), with the exception of Jarib here for Jachin still there; and this solitary difference may justly be suspected to be nothing but an early corruption of resh for caph and beth for nun (see Kennicott, 'Diss.,' 1:178; Barrington's 'Genealogies,' 1:55). Ver. 25 contains three descents from one of these - Shaul. Of Shallum, the first, it may be noted that there are fourteen others of the same name in the Old Testament; and of Mibsam and Mishma (whom some call brothers, surely in error), that there were others of the same name (and certainly given as brothers), viz. the sons of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13; ch. 1:29). Ver. 26 adds apparently another three descents, viz. from Mishma. Of the first-named of these, Hamuel, it may be noted that the name appears in many Hebrew manuscripts as Chammuel; of the second-named, Zacchur, that six others of the same name (though the Authorized Version gives them Zaccur) are found in Numbers, the First Book of Chronicles, and Nehemiah; while on the third, Shimei (of which name the Old Testament contains fifteen others), our attention is especially detained as father of sixteen sons and six daughters, though it is observed that his brethren (query Hammuel and Zacchur) had not large families. The smallness of the whole tribe relatively to Judah, was only saved from being smaller by him. With this agrees the census of Numbers 1:23, 27; Numbers 2:4, 13; Numbers 26:14. It is possible that this Shimei is the same with Shemaiah of ver. 37.

Parallel Commentaries ...


The descendants
בְּנֵ֖י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Simeon:
שִׁמְע֑וֹן (šim·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8095: Simeon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite with a foreign wife

Nemuel,
נְמוּאֵ֣ל (nə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5241: Nemuel -- two Israelites

Jamin,
וְיָמִ֔ין (wə·yā·mîn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3226: Jamin -- three Israelites

Jarib,
יָרִ֖יב (yā·rîḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3402: Jarib -- 'He contends', an Israelite name

Zerah,
זֶ֥רַח (ze·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2226: Zerah -- three Israelites, also an Edomite, also an Ethiopian

and Shaul.
שָׁאֽוּל׃ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 4:24 The sons of Simeon: Nemuel and Jamin (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)