1 Chronicles 3:22
The six descendants of Shecaniah were Shemaiah and his sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat.
The six descendants of Shecaniah were Shemaiah and his sons:
Shecaniah is a name that appears several times in the Old Testament, often associated with the priestly or Levitical lines. This particular Shecaniah is part of the genealogical record of the tribe of Judah, which is significant as it traces the lineage leading to the Davidic line and ultimately to Jesus Christ. The mention of "six descendants" highlights the importance of family lineage and heritage in Jewish culture, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises through generations.

Hattush,
Hattush is noted elsewhere in the Bible, specifically in Ezra 8:2, as one of the descendants of David who returned from the Babylonian exile. This connection underscores the theme of restoration and the fulfillment of God's promises to bring His people back to their land. Hattush's inclusion in the genealogy serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant with David.

Igal,
The name Igal appears in other contexts in the Bible, such as one of the spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan (Numbers 13:7). While this Igal is not the same individual, the repetition of the name may suggest a common cultural or familial significance. Names often carried meanings or reflected the hopes and prayers of the parents, indicating a desire for the child to embody certain virtues or fulfill a particular destiny.

Bariah,
Bariah is a less common name in the biblical record, and its meaning is not explicitly detailed in the scriptures. However, the inclusion of such names in genealogies serves to authenticate the historical record and provide a comprehensive account of the lineage. It also reflects the diversity within the tribe of Judah and the broader Israelite community.

Neariah,
Neariah means "servant of the Lord" or "lamp of the Lord," which is indicative of the religious devotion expected within the family. Names with such meanings often reflect the parents' faith and dedication to God, as well as their hope that their children would continue in the ways of the Lord. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of serving God and being a light to the nations.

and Shaphat.
Shaphat, meaning "he has judged," is a name that appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament. It is associated with leadership and judgment, roles that were crucial in maintaining justice and order within the Israelite community. The name may also allude to the hope for divine justice and the establishment of God's kingdom, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative and find their ultimate fulfillment in the coming of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shecaniah
A descendant of David, Shecaniah is part of the genealogical record that traces the lineage of the royal family of Judah. His name means "the Lord has dwelt" or "the Lord has been gracious."

2. Shemaiah
The son of Shecaniah, his name means "heard by the Lord." He is listed as the father of several sons, indicating his role in continuing the Davidic line.

3. Hattush
One of Shemaiah's sons, Hattush is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible as a descendant of David who returned from Babylonian exile, highlighting the restoration of the Davidic line.

4. Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat
These are the other sons of Shemaiah. Their inclusion in the genealogical record underscores the importance of family lineage in maintaining the heritage and promises given to David.

5. The Davidic Lineage
This passage is part of a larger genealogical record that emphasizes the continuity of the Davidic line, which is significant for the fulfillment of God's promises regarding the Messiah.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy in Scripture
Genealogies in the Bible are not mere lists of names; they serve to connect God's promises across generations. They remind us of God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The preservation of the Davidic line, even through exile and return, demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. This encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness in their own lives.

The Role of Individuals in God's Plan
Each person listed, though seemingly minor, plays a part in the grand account of God's salvation history. This teaches us that every believer has a role in God's kingdom work, no matter how small it may seem.

The Continuity of God's Redemptive Plan
The genealogical records highlight the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, culminating in Christ. This continuity assures us of the reliability and coherence of Scripture.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 3:22 contribute to our understanding of God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can we see the importance of family and heritage in the biblical account, and how does this apply to our lives today?

3. How does the mention of Hattush in both 1 Chronicles and Ezra illustrate the theme of restoration in the Bible?

4. What can we learn from the fact that seemingly minor figures in the Bible are part of God's larger plan?

5. How does the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 connect to the genealogical records in 1 Chronicles, and what does this teach us about the fulfillment of God's promises?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 8:2-3
Hattush is mentioned as one of the leaders returning from exile, connecting the genealogical record to the historical restoration of Israel.

2 Samuel 7:12-16
God's covenant with David promises an everlasting kingdom through his descendants, which is foundational to understanding the significance of these genealogies.

Matthew 1:1-17
The genealogy of Jesus Christ traces back to David, showing the fulfillment of the promises made to David through his lineage.
Genealogy of Israel's Royal HouseholdF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 3:1-24
Kings of the Royal Line - Zedekiah: the Lesson of His LifeF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 3:10-24
The Best Rewards of Piety, EtcW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 3:10-24
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abia, Abigail, Abijah, Abital, Absalom, Adonijah, Ahaz, Ahaziah, Ahinoam, Akkub, Amaziah, Ammiel, Amnon, Amon, Anani, Arnan, Asa, Assir, Azariah, Azrikam, Bariah, Bathsheba, Bathshua, Berechiah, Carmelitess, Dalaiah, Daniel, David, Delaiah, Eglah, Eliada, Eliashib, Elioenai, Eliphelet, Elishama, Elishua, Haggith, Hananiah, Hasadiah, Hashubah, Hattush, Hesed, Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hodaiah, Hodaviah, Hoshama, Ibhar, Igal, Igeal, Isaiah, Ithream, Japhia, Jecamiah, Jeconiah, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jehoshaphat, Jekamiah, Jesaiah, Jeshaiah, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Joash, Johanan, Joram, Josiah, Jotham, Jushabhesed, Maacah, Maachah, Malchiram, Manasseh, Meshullam, Nathan, Neariah, Nedabiah, Nepheg, Nogah, Obadiah, Ohel, Pedaiah, Pelaiah, Pelatiah, Rehoboam, Rephaiah, Salathiel, Shallum, Shammua, Shaphat, Shealtiel, Shecaniah, Shechaniah, Shelomith, Shemaiah, Shenazar, Shephatiah, Shimea, Shimei, Shobab, Solomon, Talmai, Tamar, Zedekiah, Zerubbabel
Places
Geshur, Hebron, Jerusalem
Topics
Bariah, Bari'ah, Hattush, Igal, Igeal, Jigeal, Neariah, Neari'ah, Shaphat, Shecaniah, Shecani'ah, Shechaniah, Shemaiah, Shemai'ah, Six, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 3:10-19

     2540   Christ, genealogy

Library
Altar and Temple
'And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration:
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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