1 Chronicles 4:2
Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.
Reaiah son of Shobal
Reaiah is a descendant of Shobal, who is linked to the lineage of Judah. Shobal is mentioned in genealogies as a son of Seir the Horite, indicating a connection to the Edomites (Genesis 36:20). This highlights the intermingling of different tribes and peoples in the ancient Near East. The name Reaiah means "seen by the Lord," suggesting divine oversight or favor.

was the father of Jahath
Jahath is a name that appears in several genealogies, indicating its commonality in Israelite culture. The role of a father in biblical times was significant, as it established lineage and inheritance. Jahath's position in the genealogy underscores the importance of family lines in maintaining tribal identity and heritage.

and Jahath was the father of Ahumai and Lahad
Ahumai and Lahad are lesser-known figures, but their mention signifies the continuation of the family line. The names reflect the cultural practice of naming children with meanings that often relate to personal or divine attributes. This practice was a way to express faith and hope in God's promises.

These were the clans of the Zorathites
The Zorathites were a clan within the tribe of Judah, associated with the town of Zorah. Zorah is located in the Shephelah region, a strategic area between the coastal plains and the Judean hills. This location was significant for trade and military purposes. The mention of clans emphasizes the tribal organization of ancient Israel, where extended families formed the basis of social and political structure. The Zorathites are also connected to notable biblical figures like Samson, who hailed from this region (Judges 13:2).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shobal
A descendant of Judah, Shobal is noted as the father of Reaiah. His lineage is significant in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah.

2. Reaiah
The son of Shobal, Reaiah is an ancestor in the line leading to the Zorathites, a clan within the tribe of Judah.

3. Jahath
The son of Reaiah, Jahath is mentioned as the father of Ahumai and Lahad, continuing the genealogical line.

4. Ahumai and Lahad
Sons of Jahath, they are part of the lineage that forms the clans of the Zorathites.

5. Zorathites
A clan within the tribe of Judah, the Zorathites are descendants of Shobal, indicating their place within the broader context of Israel's tribes.
Teaching Points
Importance of Genealogy
The genealogies in the Bible, including 1 Chronicles 4:2, remind us of the importance of heritage and God's faithfulness through generations. They show how God works through families and lineages to fulfill His purposes.

God's Sovereignty in History
The detailed genealogies underscore God's sovereignty and His intricate plan throughout history. Each name represents a life and a account that contributed to God's overarching account.

Identity and Belonging
Understanding our spiritual heritage can provide a sense of identity and belonging. As believers, we are grafted into the family of God, sharing in the rich history of faith.

Faithfulness Across Generations
The passage encourages us to consider our role in passing down faith to future generations, ensuring that the legacy of faith continues.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the genealogies in 1 Chronicles help us appreciate the continuity of God's plan throughout the Bible?

2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in our own family histories, and how can this encourage us in our faith journey?

3. How does the concept of spiritual heritage influence your identity as a believer today?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that the legacy of faith is passed down to future generations in our families and communities?

5. How do the genealogies in the Old Testament connect to the genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament, and what does this reveal about God's plan for salvation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 46
The genealogies in 1 Chronicles 4:2 connect back to the broader genealogical records found in Genesis, which trace the lineage of the tribes of Israel.

Ruth 4
The genealogical records in 1 Chronicles echo the importance of lineage and heritage, similar to the genealogy of David found in Ruth.

Matthew 1
The genealogical emphasis in 1 Chronicles is mirrored in the New Testament, where the lineage of Jesus is traced, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promises through specific family lines.
Survey of the GenealogyJames Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 4:1-43
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Adiel, Aharhel, Ahumai, Ahuzam, Allon, Amalek, Amalekites, Amaziah, Amnon, Anub, Asaiah, Asareel, Ashur, Asiel, Ben, Benaiah, Benhanan, Benzoheth, Bethrapha, Bethuel, Bilhah, Bithiah, Caleb, Carmi, Chelub, Coz, David, Elah, Elioenai, Epher, Ephratah, Ephrath, Er, Eshtemoa, Eshton, Ethnan, Ezer, Ezra, Garmite, Gedor, Haahashtari, Hakkoz, Ham, Hamites, Hamuel, Hanan, Harum, Hathath, Hazelelponi, Heber, Helah, Hepher, Hezekiah, Hezron, Hodiah, Hodijah, Hur, Idbash, Iru, Ishbah, Ishi, Ishma, Izhar, Jaakobah, Jabez, Jahath, Jalon, Jamin, Jamlech, Jarib, Jedaiah, Jehaleleel, Jehu, Jekuthiel, Jephunneh, Jered, Jeshohaiah, Jesimiel, Jether, Jezoar, Jezreel, Joab, Joash, Joel, Jokim, Joshah, Josibiah, Kenaz, Koz, Laadah, Lahad, Mehir, Meonothai, Mered, Meshobab, Meunim, Meunites, Mibsam, Miriam, Mishma, Naam, Naarah, Naham, Nahash, Neariah, Nemuel, Ophrah, Othniel, Paseah, Pelatiah, Penuel, Perez, Pharaoh, Pharez, Rapha, Reaiah, Rechah, Rephaiah, Rinnah, Saraph, Saul, Seir, Seraiah, Shallum, Shammai, Shaul, Shelah, Shemaiah, Shimei, Shimon, Shimri, Shiphi, Shobal, Shuah, Shual, Simeon, Simeonites, Tehinnah, Temeni, Tilon, Tiria, Uzziel, Zacchur, Zaccur, Zerah, Zereth, Ziphah, Ziza, Zobebah, Zohar, Zoheth, Zorathites, Zoreathites
Places
Ain, Ashan, Baal, Beersheba, Beth-biri, Beth-marcaboth, Bethuel, Bilhah, Cozeba, Etam, Ezem, Gederah, Gedor, Hazar-shual, Hazar-susim, Hormah, Jerusalem, Lehem, Moab, Moladah, Mount Seir, Netaim, Recah, Rimmon, Shaaraim, Tochen, Tolad, Ziklag
Topics
Ahumai, Ahu'mai, Begat, Begot, Clans, Families, Jahath, Lahad, Reaiah, Re-ai'ah, Shobal, Zorathite, Zorathites, Zo'rathites, Zoreathites
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 3:10-19

     2540   Christ, genealogy

Library
The Ark among the Flags
'And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

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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