This verse underscores the faithful continuity of God’s promise through Caleb’s family line and assures Israel that His covenant mercy persists, even after exile.
“These were the descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim.” (1 Chronicles 2:50)
In 1 Chronicles, the genealogies serve to establish Israel’s lineage and inheritance, showing how the covenant promises continued even after the exile. This particular verse highlights the heritage of Caleb, the notable figure from the tribe of Judah who, along with Joshua, faithfully scouted the Promised Land during Moses’ time around 1440-1400 BC. Here, Hur is identified as Caleb’s son, with Ephrathah (an older name for the region around Bethlehem) given special emphasis. By naming Shobal as the father of Kiriath-jearim, the verse locates part of Caleb’s lineage in an area west of Jerusalem (sometimes called Kiriath-Ba’al), tying it to the tribal domain of Judah. The Chronicler most likely wrote this narrative around 450-430 BC to remind the returning exiles who they were and to re-root them in God’s covenant promises through key ancestors like Caleb. This record helped the people link their identity back to a faithful heritage and God’s ongoing work in preserving their nation, even though they had been carried away into exile.
The name Caleb calls to mind courage and trust in the Lord’s deliverance (Numbers 13:30; Joshua 14:6-14). Descended from the tribe of Judah, Caleb had settled in the region of Hebron, continuing to fight for and secure the Promised Land. Hur, mentioned here, appears in earlier contexts as well (Exodus 17:12) although some scholars debate whether it is the same person. The Chronicler, however, uses the genealogical data to emphasize the continuity of God’s covenant through certain families that remained faithful and to document how rightful inheritances were distributed among Judah’s clans. Ephrathah—later associated with Bethlehem—further underscores the region’s future significance as the site where David would eventually rise, and where later Christian tradition situates the birth of Jesus (Micah 5:2).
Kiriath-jearim itself was a significant town in Judah’s territory, standing near the border with Benjamin. Its mention shows that Caleb’s descendants had influence throughout southern Canaan. Linking a father’s name to a given place, such as Shobal and Kiriath-jearim, was common in biblical records to denote founding, leadership, or possession. By focusing on these details, the Chronicler assures the exiled community that their identity and territory were firmly established through God’s sovereign care, reflected in their forefather Caleb’s legacy and the territorial designations given to his lineage.
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1 Chronicles 2:50 meaning
“These were the descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim.” (1 Chronicles 2:50)
In 1 Chronicles, the genealogies serve to establish Israel’s lineage and inheritance, showing how the covenant promises continued even after the exile. This particular verse highlights the heritage of Caleb, the notable figure from the tribe of Judah who, along with Joshua, faithfully scouted the Promised Land during Moses’ time around 1440-1400 BC. Here, Hur is identified as Caleb’s son, with Ephrathah (an older name for the region around Bethlehem) given special emphasis. By naming Shobal as the father of Kiriath-jearim, the verse locates part of Caleb’s lineage in an area west of Jerusalem (sometimes called Kiriath-Ba’al), tying it to the tribal domain of Judah. The Chronicler most likely wrote this narrative around 450-430 BC to remind the returning exiles who they were and to re-root them in God’s covenant promises through key ancestors like Caleb. This record helped the people link their identity back to a faithful heritage and God’s ongoing work in preserving their nation, even though they had been carried away into exile.
The name Caleb calls to mind courage and trust in the Lord’s deliverance (Numbers 13:30; Joshua 14:6-14). Descended from the tribe of Judah, Caleb had settled in the region of Hebron, continuing to fight for and secure the Promised Land. Hur, mentioned here, appears in earlier contexts as well (Exodus 17:12) although some scholars debate whether it is the same person. The Chronicler, however, uses the genealogical data to emphasize the continuity of God’s covenant through certain families that remained faithful and to document how rightful inheritances were distributed among Judah’s clans. Ephrathah—later associated with Bethlehem—further underscores the region’s future significance as the site where David would eventually rise, and where later Christian tradition situates the birth of Jesus (Micah 5:2).
Kiriath-jearim itself was a significant town in Judah’s territory, standing near the border with Benjamin. Its mention shows that Caleb’s descendants had influence throughout southern Canaan. Linking a father’s name to a given place, such as Shobal and Kiriath-jearim, was common in biblical records to denote founding, leadership, or possession. By focusing on these details, the Chronicler assures the exiled community that their identity and territory were firmly established through God’s sovereign care, reflected in their forefather Caleb’s legacy and the territorial designations given to his lineage.