1 Chronicles 1:16

KJV

And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Arvadite {H721}, and the Zemarite {H6786}, and the Hamathite {H2577}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the Arvadi, the Tz'mari and the Hamati.

Berean Standard Bible

the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites.

American Standard Version

and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 1:16 meticulously concludes a significant segment of the extensive genealogical record by enumerating three additional descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham: the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. This verse, following the initial listing of Canaan's offspring, serves to further delineate the diverse peoples and influential city-states that populated the ancient Near East, particularly the region of Canaan. By establishing such a precise historical and geographical framework, the Chronicler lays crucial groundwork for understanding the subsequent biblical narrative, the unfolding of God's covenantal plan with Israel, and the broader tapestry of human history under divine sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the expansive opening chapter of 1 Chronicles, which meticulously traces humanity's lineage from Adam, through Noah and his sons, ultimately narrowing its focus to the specific tribes and families that constitute the nation of Israel. Immediately preceding this verse, [1 Chronicles 1:15](/1_chronicles/1-15 "1 Chronicles 1:15 - More Descendants of Canaan") initiates the detailed enumeration of Canaan's descendants, a list that began with Sidon, Heth, and continued through the Jebusite, Amorite, and Girgashite. The inclusion of the Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite in [1 Chronicles 1:16](/1_chronicles/1-16 "1 Chronicles 1:16 - Descendants of Canaan") brings this particular segment of the Canaanite family tree to completion, providing a comprehensive roster of the peoples who would eventually inhabit the land promised to Abraham. This precise genealogical record underscores the Chronicler's primary intent: to establish a foundational history and validate the post-exilic community's identity, grounding their claims and heritage in a divinely ordained lineage stretching back to the dawn of creation and affirming their place within God's grand historical narrative.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The peoples mentioned in [1 Chronicles 1:16](/1_chronicles/1-16 "1 Chronicles 1:16 - Descendants of Canaan")—the Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite—were significant inhabitants of the ancient Levant, particularly along the Phoenician coast and inland Syria. Arvad (modern-day Ruad) was a prominent island city-state known for its formidable maritime power and extensive trade networks, strategically located off the Syrian coast. Zemar (Sumur/Simyra) was another important Phoenician city, frequently mentioned in ancient Egyptian Amarna letters, situated inland from Arvad and serving as a key administrative and trade center. Hamath was a powerful Aramaean city-state on the Orontes River, often marking the northern boundary of Israel's ideal territorial claims, as seen in passages like [Numbers 34:8](/numbers/34-8 "Numbers 34:8 - Northern Boundary of Israel") and [2 Kings 14:25](/2_kings/14-25 "2 Kings 14:25 - Jonah's Prophecy and Hamath"). For the original audience, likely the returned exiles in Judah, these genealogies served a vital function: they affirmed tribal identities, validated land claims, and established priestly legitimacy in a community rebuilding itself after generations in Babylonian captivity. The inclusion of these non-Israelite peoples within the broader Hamitic lineage highlights the biblical worldview that all nations derive from a common ancestor, yet also sets the stage for the distinct historical interactions, including conflicts, alliances, and covenants, that Israel would have with these surrounding peoples.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Chronicles 1:16](/1_chronicles/1-16 "1 Chronicles 1:16 - Descendants of Canaan"), embedded within the larger genealogical framework of [1 Chronicles 1](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles 1 - Genealogies from Adam to Israel"), contributes to several overarching themes fundamental to the Chronicler's theological agenda. Firstly, it emphasizes **historical precision and continuity**, demonstrating the Bible's commitment to a detailed and verifiable record of human origins and national development. These are not mythical peoples but actual historical entities, underscoring the reality of God's interaction within human history. The meticulous listing validates the historical claims and identity of the post-exilic community. Secondly, the enumeration of these non-Israelite nations highlights **divine sovereignty over all peoples**, illustrating that even those outside the direct covenant lineage of Abraham are part of God's larger providential plan. Their origins and territories are documented as part of the unfolding narrative of humanity, setting the stage for future interactions and demonstrating God's universal dominion. Finally, these genealogies serve as a **foundation for understanding future narratives**, particularly the conquest accounts in books like [Joshua](/joshua/1 "Joshua 1 - The Conquest of Canaan Begins") and [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Early Conquests and Failures"), and the ongoing interactions between Israel and its neighbors throughout the monarchical period, providing essential context for the "Canaanite" identity and their eventual displacement or subjugation as part of God's covenant promises to Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arvadite (Hebrew, _ʼArvâdîy'_):** This term, derived from the Hebrew אַרְוַד, refers to the inhabitants of Arvad, an ancient Phoenician city located on an island off the coast of modern-day Syria. Arvad was renowned for its maritime prowess, its strategic location, and its significant role in ancient Near Eastern trade and naval affairs. Its mention here underscores the geographical and cultural breadth of the Canaanite peoples and their influence across the Levant.
* **Zemarite (Hebrew, _Tsᵉmârîy'_):** The Zemarite refers to the people of Zemar, another important Phoenician city-state, likely situated on the mainland near Arvad (possibly modern Sumur). This group was part of the broader Canaanite cultural sphere, participating in the vibrant trade networks and political dynamics of the ancient Near East. Its inclusion further specifies the diverse tribal groups descended from Canaan, highlighting the Chronicler's comprehensive approach to cataloging these foundational peoples.
* **Hamathite (Hebrew, _Chămâthîy'_):** This designates the people of Hamath, a powerful and ancient city-state located on the Orontes River in central Syria, derived from the Hebrew חֲמָת. Hamath held significant geopolitical importance throughout biblical history, frequently serving as a northern boundary marker for Israel's ideal territory and engaging in various interactions with Israelite kings. Its presence in this genealogy highlights the far-reaching influence of Canaan's descendants and their geographical spread, extending into what would become Aramaean territory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Arvadite":** This phrase introduces the first of three additional peoples descended from Canaan, emphasizing the continued expansion and diversification of his lineage. The Arvadites were a distinct and notable group, known for their seafaring capabilities and their city's strategic island location, playing a significant role in regional trade and maritime power.
* **"and the Zemarite":** Following the Arvadite, the Zemarite further details the specific tribal groups originating from Canaan. This inclusion points to another significant Phoenician city-state, indicating the Chronicler's comprehensive approach to cataloging the nations that comprised the ancient world, particularly those connected to the land of Canaan and its coastal trade routes.
* **"and the Hamathite":** The final group listed in this verse, the Hamathite, represents a powerful inland city-state to the north, marking the geographical extent of Canaan's descendants and their influence. This enumeration concludes the specific list of Canaan's offspring, providing a complete picture of the diverse peoples who would interact with Israel throughout its history, often serving as a northern border or a point of conflict.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [1 Chronicles 1:16](/1_chronicles/1-16 "1 Chronicles 1:16 - Descendants of Canaan"), as with the broader chapter, is **Genealogy** and **Enumeration**. The Chronicler meticulously lists names, creating a detailed historical record that establishes lineage and validates identity for the post-exilic community. This systematic **Cataloging** of peoples serves to ground the biblical narrative in a tangible, historical reality, demonstrating a commitment to factual precision and the belief that God's plan unfolds within concrete history. While seemingly dry, this precise listing is foundational, providing a framework for understanding the geographical and ethnic landscape of the ancient Near East. It also implicitly uses **Metonymy**, where the name of the ancestor (Canaan) stands for the collective peoples descended from him, and the tribal names themselves (e.g., Arvadite) stand for the city-states or regions they inhabited, representing entire populations through their eponymous founders.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Chronicles 1:16](/1_chronicles/1-16 "1 Chronicles 1:16 - Descendants of Canaan") contributes to the profound theological truth that God's redemptive plan unfolds within the concrete realities of human history and geography. The meticulous listing of these seemingly minor tribal groups underscores the Bible's commitment to historical veracity and the belief that every nation, regardless of its relationship to Israel, exists under the sovereign gaze of God. These genealogies are not mere historical curiosities but serve as a divine framework, demonstrating how God orchestrates the rise and fall of nations, setting the stage for His redemptive purposes. They remind us that even the "background characters" in the biblical narrative have a place in God's grand design, contributing to the tapestry of His unfolding story. The very existence and documentation of these peoples affirm God's comprehensive knowledge and control over all of creation and its inhabitants, laying the groundwork for understanding the universal scope of His ultimate plan of salvation.

* [Genesis 10:18](/genesis/10-18 "Descendants of Canaan")
* [Ezekiel 27:8](/ezekiel/27-8 "Arvadite Mariners for Tyre")
* [Numbers 34:8](/numbers/34-8 "Hamath as a Northern Border")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a simple list of names, [1 Chronicles 1:16](/1_chronicles/1-16 "1 Chronicles 1:16 - Descendants of Canaan") invites us to consider the profound significance of every detail in God's Word. It reminds us that our faith is not built on abstract myths or philosophical concepts, but on a historical narrative deeply rooted in real people, places, and times. For the post-exilic community, these genealogies provided a crucial anchor for their identity, land claims, and covenantal heritage, assuring them of God's faithfulness despite their exile. For us today, they highlight God's meticulous care in preserving a detailed record, demonstrating that His promises and interactions occur within the tangible realities of human existence. This verse encourages us to value the seemingly mundane parts of Scripture, recognizing that even names and places have a profound purpose in revealing God's overarching narrative of redemption. It challenges us to see the interconnectedness of all humanity, tracing our common origins back to Noah, and ultimately to Adam, reminding us of our shared humanity and God's universal sovereignty over all nations and their histories.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of biblical genealogies, even those of non-Israelite peoples, strengthen your faith in the historical accuracy and divine inspiration of Scripture?**
* **What does the inclusion of these specific nations (Arvadite, Zemarite, Hamathite) tell us about God's sovereign involvement in the history of all peoples, not just Israel?**
* **In what ways can understanding the "background characters" and geographical details of the Bible enrich our comprehension and appreciation of the main narrative of redemption?**

### FAQ
**Why are these specific non-Israelite peoples included in Israel's genealogies?**

Answer: These specific non-Israelite peoples, the Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite, are included in Israel's genealogies primarily because they are listed as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham. The broader genealogical record in [1 Chronicles 1](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles 1 - Genealogies from Adam to Israel") aims to provide a comprehensive historical framework, tracing humanity from Adam through Noah's sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth) before narrowing its focus to the lineage of Israel. Including these Canaanite tribes serves several crucial purposes: it establishes the geographical and ethnic landscape of the ancient Near East, particularly the land that would eventually be promised to Abraham's descendants. It also sets the stage for future interactions—both cooperative and conflictual—between Israel and these neighboring peoples, as seen in books like [Joshua](/joshua/1 "Joshua 1 - The Conquest of Canaan Begins") and [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Early Conquests and Failures"). Furthermore, it underscores the biblical worldview that all nations originate from a common source and are under God's sovereign gaze, even those not directly part of the covenant people, demonstrating His universal dominion and meticulous plan for all humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Chronicles 1:16](/1_chronicles/1-16 "1 Chronicles 1:16 - Descendants of Canaan") appears to be a dry list of ancient peoples, it contributes profoundly to the grand narrative that ultimately culminates in Christ. These genealogies, by meticulously tracing human history from Adam through Noah and the subsequent generations, establish the very lineage through which the promised Seed, the Messiah, would eventually come. The inclusion of diverse nations, even those outside the direct line of promise, subtly foreshadows the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work. Just as all humanity descends from a common ancestor, so too will salvation in Christ extend to "every tribe and language and people and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "The Lamb's Worthy Praise")). The seemingly disparate peoples of the ancient world, documented here, find their ultimate unity and purpose in the one who breaks down all dividing walls between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity" ([Ephesians 2:14-15](/ephesians/2-14-15 "Christ Our Peace and New Humanity")). Christ's kingdom is not limited to one ethnic group but encompasses all who believe, fulfilling God's original promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")). Thus, even the obscure names of the Arvadite, Zemarite, and Hamathite contribute to the vast tapestry of God's sovereign plan, which meticulously prepared the way for the coming of the King of all nations, Jesus Christ, who reigns over all creation and gathers His people from every corner of the earth ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "The Great Commission")).

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

1 Kings 8:65

And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, [even] fourteen days.

Numbers 34:8

From mount Hor ye shall point out [your border] unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad: