1 Chronicles 4

Read, “These are the sons of the father (i. e. chief) of Etam” 2Ch 11:6, a city of Judah, not far from Bethlehem.

It is remarkable that Jabez should be introduced without description, or patronymic, as if a well-known personage. We can only suppose that he was known to those for whom Chronicles was written, either by tradition, or by writings which have perished. In 1Ch 4:10 Jabez alludes to his name, “sorrowful” (margin): “Grant that the grief implied in my name may not come upon me!”

It has been conjectured from the strangeness of all the names in this list, that we have here a fragment of Canaanite record, connected with the family of the “Shua,” whose daughter Judah took to wife 1Ch 2:3; Gen 38:2, and whose family thus became related to the tribe of Judah.

The words “and Meonothai” should he added to the end of 1Ch 4:13; but they should be retained also at the commencement of 1Ch 4:14. Or, see the marginal note.

She bare Miriam - Rather, “she conceived.” The mother is not mentioned, and it seems impossible to restore the original text with any certainty.

His wife - i. e. Mered’s. Mered, it would seem, had two wives, Bithiah, an Egyptian woman, and a Jewish wife (see the margin), whose name is not given. If Mered was a chief of rank, Bithlah may have been married to him with the consent of her father, for the Egyptian kings often gave their daughters in marriage to foreigners. Or she may have elected to forsake her countrymen and cleave to a Jewish husband, becoming a convert to his religion. Her name, Bithiah, “daughter of Yahweh,” is like that of a convert.

His wife Hodiah - Not as in the margin, but rather, “the sons of the wife of Hodiah.” Hodiah is elsewhere always a man’s name Neh 8:7; Neh 9:5; Neh 10:10, Neh 10:13, Neh 10:18.

Who had the dominion in Moab - Moab was conquered by David 2Sa 8:2, and again by Omri, after which it remained subject until the death of Ahab 2Ki 3:5. But a more ancient rule, in times of which we have no further record, is probably intended.

Among plants and hedges - Rather, “in Netaim and Gederah” Jos 15:36.

With the king - Or, probably, “on the king’s property.” Both David and several of the later kings had large territorial possessions in various parts of Judaea 1Ch 27:25, 1Ch 27:31; 2Ch 26:10; 2Ch 27:4; 2Ch 32:28-29.

Unto the reign of David - It is not quite clear why this clause is added. Perhaps the writer is quoting from a document belonging to David’s reign. Or, he may mean that some of the cities, as Ziklag 1Sa 27:6, were lost to Simeon about David’s time.

And their genealogy - Rather, “and their register was according thereto” - they were registered, i. e. according to the places where they dwelt.

These mentioned by their names were princes - The registered chiefs of the cities in the first list 1Ch 4:28-31, in the time of Hezekiah 1Ch 4:41.

Gedor - Rather read, “Gerar” (Septuagint) a fertile district Gen 26:6-12; 2Ch 14:14-15 in Philistine country.

The habitations - Rather, “the Mehunim” (compare 2Ch 36:7), called also “Maonites” (see Jdg 10:12 note).

Unto this day - These words are probably taken from the record which the writer of Chronicles had before him, and do not imply that the Simeonites remained undisturbed in their conquests until after the return from the captivity. So 1Ch 4:41.