1 Chronicles 1:13

KJV

And Canaan begat Zidon his firstborn, and Heth,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Canaan {H3667} begat {H3205} Zidon {H6721} his firstborn {H1060}, and Heth {H2845},

Complete Jewish Bible

Kena'an was the father of Tzidon his firstborn, and also of Het,

Berean Standard Bible

And Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites,

American Standard Version

And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 1:13 is a concise entry within the extensive genealogies that open the book, specifically identifying Zidon, the firstborn, and Heth as two sons of Canaan. These individuals are crucial progenitors of the Sidonians and Hittites, respectively, ancient peoples whose histories are deeply interwoven with the biblical narrative and the land promised to Israel. This verse, though brief, underscores the Bible's meticulous attention to historical lineage and the foundational role of these early nations in God's unfolding redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles commences with an unparalleled genealogical record, meticulously tracing human history from Adam through significant patriarchal lines, ultimately focusing on the lineage that leads to David. This comprehensive listing served a vital purpose for the post-exilic community in Judah, aiming to re-establish their identity, validate tribal land claims, and affirm the legitimacy of the priesthood and monarchy. Verse 13 is situated within the detailed account of Noah's descendants, specifically the line of his son Ham, as found in [Genesis 10:6](/genesis/10-6 "Genesis 10:6 - The Sons of Ham"). The focus on Canaan's lineage is particularly significant because his descendants inhabited the very land that God promised to Abraham and his offspring, setting the stage for future conflicts and God's sovereign dealings with Israel. The Chronicler's choice to include these specific names highlights their enduring relevance to the historical and theological narrative of God's people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of Zidon and Heth immediately connects this genealogy to two prominent ancient Near Eastern peoples: the Sidonians and the Hittites. Sidon was a major Phoenician city-state, renowned for its maritime trade and influence across the Mediterranean, often appearing in biblical accounts alongside Tyre. The Sidonians were a significant cultural and economic presence in the Levant, interacting with Israel in various capacities, from trade partnerships to idolatrous influences. Heth, on the other hand, was the eponymous ancestor of the Hittites, a powerful empire that, at its peak, rivaled Egypt and Assyria. Their presence in Canaan is well-documented, notably in Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah from the Hittites in [Genesis 23:10](/genesis/23-10 "Genesis 23:10 - Abraham's Transaction with the Hittites"). Culturally, these groups represented the diverse tapestry of nations surrounding early Israel, often serving as both neighbors and adversaries, and their inclusion in this genealogy grounds the biblical narrative in a verifiable historical and geographical reality.
* **Key Themes:** This seemingly simple genealogical entry contributes to several profound themes within 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Genealogical Precision**, showcasing the Bible's commitment to accurate historical records and the critical role of lineage in understanding God's unfolding plan of salvation. The meticulous tracing of ancestry underscores the belief that God works through specific people and families. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Origins of Nations**, explicitly naming the progenitors of two significant ancient Near Eastern peoples. This not only provides a historical foundation for later biblical interactions but also subtly reinforces the idea that all nations descend from Noah, reflecting a universal scope of God's creation and sovereignty, as seen in the table of nations in [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"). Lastly, it contributes to the theme of **Historical Foundation**, reinforcing the Bible's claim as a historical document rooted in real peoples, places, and events, rather than mythical tales. The presence of these named ancestors lends credibility and depth to the subsequent narratives of Israel's interactions with these nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Canaan (Hebrew, _Kena'an'_):** This name refers to the fourth son of Ham and grandson of Noah. More significantly, "Canaan" became the namesake for the land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")), which later became the land of Israel. The inclusion of Canaan's lineage here, despite the curse pronounced on him in [Genesis 9:25](/genesis/9-25 "Genesis 9:25 - Noah's Curse on Canaan"), serves to establish the historical inhabitants of the promised land, providing context for the later conquest narratives.
* **Zidon (Hebrew, _Tzidon'_):** Meaning "fishing" or "fishery," Zidon was Canaan's firstborn son. He is the eponymous ancestor of the Sidonians and the city of Sidon, a major Phoenician port city located on the Mediterranean coast north of Tyre. Sidon was a significant center of trade and maritime activity in the ancient world, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament in connection with Israel's northern borders and interactions. Its prominence as a firstborn suggests its early and significant role among Canaan's descendants.
* **Heth (Hebrew, _Cheth'_):** This name means "terror" or "dread." Heth is the eponymous ancestor of the Hittites, a powerful and influential people group whose empire stretched across Anatolia and parts of the Levant. The Hittites are frequently encountered in the biblical narrative, from Abraham's dealings with them (e.g., [Genesis 23:3-20](/genesis/23-3 "Genesis 23:3-20 - Abraham Purchases a Burial Plot")) to their presence in the land during the time of the Judges and Kings (e.g., [Judges 1:26](/judges/1-26 "Judges 1:26 - The City of Luz and the Hittites"), [1 Kings 10:29](/1_kings/10-29 "1 Kings 10:29 - Solomon's Trade with Hittite Kings")). Their inclusion here establishes their ancient lineage and their historical claim to parts of the land of Canaan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Canaan begat Zidon his firstborn":** This clause directly states the paternal lineage, identifying Canaan as the father of Zidon. The designation "his firstborn" is significant, indicating Zidon's preeminence among Canaan's sons. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the firstborn often held special status, rights, and responsibilities. This detail highlights Zidon's foundational role in the development of the Sidonian people and their subsequent prominence in the region. It also maintains the chronological and hierarchical order characteristic of biblical genealogies.
* **"and Heth":** This second clause simply lists Heth as another son of Canaan. While not explicitly called "firstborn," his immediate mention alongside Zidon underscores his importance as the progenitor of the Hittites. The brevity of this listing is typical for genealogical records, where the primary purpose is to establish connections and origins rather than provide detailed biographies. The inclusion of Heth is crucial for understanding the historical and geographical context of Israel's later interactions with the Hittite people, who were a significant presence in the land of Canaan.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 1:13, and indeed throughout the opening chapters of the book, is **Genealogy**. This involves the systematic listing of ancestors and descendants, serving not merely as a historical record but as a theological statement. The use of genealogy here establishes a direct and unbroken line of descent from the earliest humans, affirming the historicity of God's redemptive plan. Another device is **Eponymous Ancestry**, where individuals like Zidon and Heth are presented as the namesakes and progenitors of entire nations or cities. This technique efficiently links a specific person to a collective identity, providing a concise explanation for the origins of significant peoples mentioned throughout biblical history. Furthermore, there is an underlying **Conciseness** or **Economy of Language**, where vast historical developments are condensed into simple "begat" statements, allowing the Chronicler to cover immense spans of time and numerous peoples with remarkable brevity, yet without sacrificing the essential connections needed for the narrative of Israel's heritage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 1:13, though a single line in a long genealogy, powerfully illustrates God's meticulous sovereignty over human history and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It reminds us that even seemingly minor figures in a vast lineage play a part in God's grand design. The inclusion of nations like the Sidonians and Hittites, who would later interact with Israel in various ways, underscores that God's plan encompasses not only His chosen people but also the broader world of nations. This meticulous record keeping affirms the historical reality of the biblical narrative, grounding theological truths in concrete, verifiable events and peoples. It speaks to God's faithfulness in preserving lineages through which His promises would ultimately be fulfilled, demonstrating that His purposes are worked out through real individuals in real historical contexts.

* [Genesis 10:15-16](/genesis/10-15 "Genesis 10:15-16 - Canaan's Descendants")
* [Joshua 1:4](/joshua/1-4 "Joshua 1:4 - The Extent of the Promised Land")
* [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "Acts 17:26 - God Determines the Times and Places of Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a genealogical entry might appear distant and dry, 1 Chronicles 1:13 invites us to consider God's profound attention to detail and His overarching sovereignty across all of human history. It reminds us that every individual and every nation, regardless of how seemingly insignificant they appear in a long list, plays a part in God's grand design. This verse underscores that God's plan unfolds through real people and real historical events, meticulously building towards the ultimate fulfillment of His promises. For us today, it encourages us to see our own lives and the historical trajectory of our communities within God's larger narrative. It prompts us to trust that even in the seemingly random or chaotic events of life, God is working out His purposes, guiding history towards His predetermined ends. Our own "genealogy" or life story, with its unique set of relationships and circumstances, is not accidental but part of a divine tapestry, contributing to a story far greater than ourselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's meticulous attention to genealogies, as seen in this verse, challenge our modern tendency to focus solely on the present or the individual?**
* **What does it mean for our faith to know that God's plan unfolds through specific, historical lineages and nations, including those outside of Israel?**
* **In what ways can we discern God's sovereign hand at work in the "genealogy" or historical development of our own families, communities, or nations?**
* **How does the seemingly "dry" nature of genealogical lists actually contribute to the credibility and depth of the biblical narrative for you personally?**

### FAQ
**Why are genealogies like 1 Chronicles 1:13 so important in the Bible?**

Answer: Genealogies are crucial for several reasons. Firstly, they establish **historical continuity and authenticity**, demonstrating that the biblical narrative is rooted in real people and actual history, not myth. They provide a framework for understanding the flow of events from creation onward. Secondly, they serve a **theological purpose**, meticulously tracing the lineage through which God's covenant promises, particularly those made to Abraham and David, would be fulfilled. This precision underscores God's faithfulness and His sovereign control over human history. For the post-exilic community, as in 1 Chronicles, genealogies were vital for re-establishing **identity, land claims, and the legitimacy of the priesthood and monarchy**, ensuring that the community knew who they were and where they belonged in God's plan. Ultimately, they point towards the specific, historical coming of the Messiah, as seen in the genealogies of Jesus in the New Testament (e.g., [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus")).

**Who were the Sidonians and Hittites, and what was their relationship with ancient Israel?**

Answer: The Sidonians and Hittites were two prominent peoples of the ancient Near East, both descendants of Canaan. The **Sidonians** were inhabitants of Sidon, a major Phoenician city-state on the Mediterranean coast. They were renowned for their maritime trade, craftsmanship, and purple dye. Their relationship with Israel was often complex, involving both trade and cultural exchange (e.g., [1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Hiram of Tyre and Solomon's Alliance")), but also periods of conflict and the introduction of idolatry (e.g., [1 Kings 16:31](/1_kings/16-31 "1 Kings 16:31 - Ahab Marries Jezebel of Sidon")). The **Hittites** were a powerful empire that, at its peak, controlled vast territories in Anatolia and the Levant. In the biblical narrative, they appear early on as inhabitants of Canaan, notably in Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah from them ([Genesis 23](/genesis/23 "Genesis 23 - Abraham Buys a Burial Plot")). Later, they are mentioned among the nations Israel was to dispossess (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:1](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1 - Nations to be Dispossessed")), yet some Hittites remained in the land and even served in David's army (e.g., Uriah the Hittite in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David and Bathsheba")). Their inclusion in genealogies like 1 Chronicles 1:13 grounds the biblical narrative in the real historical and geopolitical landscape of the ancient world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly dry genealogical list of 1 Chronicles 1:13, like all biblical genealogies, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. These meticulous records, tracing lineage through countless generations, serve as a divine testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving a specific line through which His redemptive plan would unfold. From Adam, through Noah, Ham, and Canaan's descendants, the biblical narrative eventually narrows its focus to Abraham, then Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and finally to the house of David. Every "begat" statement, including the mention of Zidon and Heth, underscores the historical reality and specificity of God's work in the world, culminating in the incarnation. The very fact that God chose to work through a specific historical lineage, rather than a mythical or abstract one, highlights the concrete nature of His salvation. The genealogies in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus") complete this grand narrative, explicitly linking Jesus to this ancient lineage, demonstrating that He is the promised "seed" of Abraham (as foretold in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham is Christ")) and the rightful heir to David's throne ([Romans 1:3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Jesus Descended from David")). Thus, 1 Chronicles 1:13, far from being an isolated historical note, contributes to the overarching testimony that God's plan for humanity's redemption is meticulously woven into the fabric of history, culminating in the arrival of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 11:6

¶ And David sent to Joab, [saying], Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

Genesis 49:30

In the cave that [is] in the field of Machpelah, which [is] before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

Genesis 49:32

The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was] from the children of Heth.

Genesis 23:20

And the field, and the cave that [is] therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.

Joshua 9:1

¶ And it came to pass, when all the kings which [were] on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard [thereof];

Genesis 10:15

¶ And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,

Genesis 10:19

And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.