This verse shows the importance of every generation in carrying forward God’s plan.
“Shaul’s son was Shallum, and Mibsam was his son, and Mishma was his son.” (1 Chronicles 4:25) This verse provides a concise statement of descent, illustrating how the chronicler meticulously traced the lineage of Simeon’s family line. By recording these names, Scripture preserves the continuity of God’s people through the generations. We see that Shaul stands as an ancestor, producing a line that continued through Shallum, and further on to Mibsam and Mishma. Though this information may seem purely genealogical, it underscores how God worked faithfully through every generation, whether prominent or obscure, to fulfill His overarching covenantal purposes (see Hebrews 11:39-40).
In terms of historical context, these events and lineages are placed in the era following Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land, somewhere after the division of the land by Joshua (circa 1400-1375 BC) and continuing through the period of the kings. While Scripture does not assign these particular individuals a prominent role like David (who reigned around 1010-970 BC) or Solomon (970-931 BC), their names appear here to testify that each person held a purposeful role in the continuous tapestry of Israel’s history. The chronicler’s records served as a reminder that God’s redemptive narrative involved every member of His chosen people.
Genealogies in the Old Testament often foreshadow God’s ultimate plan, which is fully revealed in the coming of Jesus Christ, who was also born into a specific lineage (see Matthew 1). Although 1 Chronicles 4:25 does not directly prophesy about the Messiah, it fits into the broader biblical pattern of establishing the significance of each family’s heritage as part of God’s unfolding story of salvation. Every name, no matter how briefly mentioned, represents God’s unwavering faithfulness to preserve the line from which He would bless all nations through the promised Savior.
1 Chronicles 4:25 meaning
“Shaul’s son was Shallum, and Mibsam was his son, and Mishma was his son.” (1 Chronicles 4:25) This verse provides a concise statement of descent, illustrating how the chronicler meticulously traced the lineage of Simeon’s family line. By recording these names, Scripture preserves the continuity of God’s people through the generations. We see that Shaul stands as an ancestor, producing a line that continued through Shallum, and further on to Mibsam and Mishma. Though this information may seem purely genealogical, it underscores how God worked faithfully through every generation, whether prominent or obscure, to fulfill His overarching covenantal purposes (see Hebrews 11:39-40).
In terms of historical context, these events and lineages are placed in the era following Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land, somewhere after the division of the land by Joshua (circa 1400-1375 BC) and continuing through the period of the kings. While Scripture does not assign these particular individuals a prominent role like David (who reigned around 1010-970 BC) or Solomon (970-931 BC), their names appear here to testify that each person held a purposeful role in the continuous tapestry of Israel’s history. The chronicler’s records served as a reminder that God’s redemptive narrative involved every member of His chosen people.
Genealogies in the Old Testament often foreshadow God’s ultimate plan, which is fully revealed in the coming of Jesus Christ, who was also born into a specific lineage (see Matthew 1). Although 1 Chronicles 4:25 does not directly prophesy about the Messiah, it fits into the broader biblical pattern of establishing the significance of each family’s heritage as part of God’s unfolding story of salvation. Every name, no matter how briefly mentioned, represents God’s unwavering faithfulness to preserve the line from which He would bless all nations through the promised Savior.