1 Chronicles 1:37

KJV

The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

KJV (with Strong's)

The sons {H1121} of Reuel {H7467}; Nahath {H5184}, Zerah {H2226}, Shammah {H8048}, and Mizzah {H4199}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sons of Re'u'el: Nachat, Zerach, Shamah and Mizah.

Berean Standard Bible

The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

American Standard Version

The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 1:37 is a concise genealogical entry, meticulously listing the four sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. Situated within the extensive opening genealogies of 1 Chronicles, this verse contributes to the detailed historical record tracing humanity's lineage from Adam, through the patriarchal figures, and specifically here, through the descendants of Esau. Its inclusion underscores the biblical emphasis on historical continuity, the divine preservation of family lines, and the meticulous nature of God's record-keeping, laying foundational groundwork for understanding identity and God's unfolding redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the opening nine chapters of 1 Chronicles, which are almost entirely dedicated to genealogies. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 1:37 follows the broader listing of Esau's sons in [1 Chronicles 1:35](/1_chronicles/1-35 "1 Chronicles 1:35 - Sons of Esau") and precedes further details about the chiefs and kings of Edom. The entire first chapter begins with [Adam](/1_chronicles/1-1 "1 Chronicles 1:1 - Adam to Noah"), systematically tracing key lineages through the patriarchs, culminating in the Edomite and Israelite tribes. The precise naming of Reuel's sons, a grandson of Isaac through Esau, serves to complete a specific branch of this comprehensive family tree, demonstrating the Chronicler's commitment to a thorough and unbroken historical record.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Genealogies were of paramount importance in ancient Israelite society, particularly for the post-exilic community to whom 1 Chronicles was primarily addressed. These detailed lists served crucial functions: establishing tribal identity, validating claims to land inheritance, confirming eligibility for priestly service, and reinforcing the continuity of God's covenant promises. The inclusion of Edomite lineages, though not directly Israelite, highlights the broader historical interconnectedness of nations descending from Abraham's family and acknowledges the fulfillment of divine promises regarding the proliferation of his descendants, even through Esau. The meticulousness reflects a culture deeply rooted in ancestry and the preservation of heritage.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous enumeration in [1 Chronicles 1](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles 1 - Genealogies from Adam to Esau") and specifically in verse 37 contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty and Meticulousness**, illustrating God's precise oversight of history and His knowledge of every individual within His grand plan, even those not central to Israel's direct narrative. Secondly, it highlights **Historical Continuity and Preservation**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in maintaining the chain of generations, which is foundational for the eventual fulfillment of the messianic promise. Lastly, it reinforces the theme of **Identity and Heritage**, reminding the original audience (and us) of the importance of knowing one's roots and understanding one's place within God's larger story, preparing the ground for the specific lineage of David and ultimately, the Messiah, as seen in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sons (Hebrew, _bānîm'_):** This common Hebrew term for "sons" or "children" is crucial in genealogical contexts. Its use here emphasizes the direct male lineage, indicating the continuation of Reuel's family line and the expansion of the broader family tree. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the male line was paramount for inheritance, identity, and the perpetuation of the family name.
* **Reuel (Hebrew, _Rĕ'û'ēl'_):** Meaning "Friend of God" or "Shepherd of God," Reuel is identified as one of Esau's sons in [Genesis 36:4](/genesis/36-4 "Genesis 36:4 - Sons of Esau") and [1 Chronicles 1:35](/1_chronicles/1-35 "1 Chronicles 1:35 - Sons of Esau"). His name, while not directly expounded upon in this genealogical list, connects this specific branch of the Edomite lineage back to the patriarchal narratives and the broader family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
* **Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah (Hebrew, _Naḥath, Zeraḥ, Shammah, Mizzah'_):** These are proper nouns, the specific names of Reuel's four sons. While individual etymologies might exist (e.g., Zerah means "rising" or "dawning"), their primary function within this genealogical list is identification. Their collective significance lies in completing the detailed record of this particular branch of Esau's descendants, contributing to the comprehensive historical framework of 1 Chronicles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sons of Reuel;":** This opening phrase establishes the paternal relationship, clearly identifying the individuals to follow as the direct male offspring of Reuel. In the context of the extensive genealogies, this serves as a precise pointer, linking these individuals to their immediate ancestor and, by extension, to Esau, Isaac, and Abraham, thereby placing them within the larger tapestry of early human history.
* **"Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.":** This clause provides the specific enumeration of Reuel's four sons. The listing of distinct names ensures the meticulous completion of this particular family branch within the biblical record. In a culture where lineage was paramount for identity and historical continuity, the precise naming of each individual, even those not directly involved in the main narrative of Israel, underscored the importance of every link in the chain.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 1:37, and indeed throughout the opening chapters of 1 Chronicles, is **Genealogy**. This systematic listing of ancestors and descendants serves multiple purposes: it establishes historical continuity from creation to the post-exilic period, validates tribal and family identities, and provides a foundational framework for understanding God's unfolding plan of salvation. Within this overarching device, **Enumeration** or **Listing** is prominently used, as specific names are presented in a straightforward, factual manner, emphasizing precision and completeness. The consistent use of the "son of" or "sons of" structure throughout these chapters also creates a form of **Repetition**, reinforcing the unbroken chain of generations and the meticulous nature of the record.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Although 1 Chronicles 1:37 is a simple list of names, its inclusion within the divinely inspired Scriptures speaks volumes about God's character and His engagement with human history. The meticulous record-keeping, even of lineages not directly in the line of covenant promise (like the Edomites), underscores God's sovereign oversight of all nations and His attention to every detail of His creation. It reminds us that every individual, regardless of their prominence in the grand narrative, is known and accounted for by God. This precision in documenting history lays the groundwork for understanding the reliability of God's promises and His faithfulness in bringing about His redemptive purposes through specific, divinely chosen lineages.

* [Genesis 10:1-32](/genesis/10-1 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations")
* [Numbers 1:1-46](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel")
* [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often values only the prominent and the powerful, 1 Chronicles 1:37, a seemingly obscure list of names, offers a profound spiritual truth: every life has significance in God's eyes. The meticulous detail with which God preserves these lineages, even those not directly tied to the main covenantal narrative, reminds us of His intimate knowledge and care for every individual. It encourages us to recognize our own place within God's vast and intricate story, understanding that our lives, too, are part of His unfolding plan across generations. This verse invites us to appreciate the concept of spiritual heritage, acknowledging those who have gone before us in faith and recognizing our responsibility to pass on a legacy of faithfulness to those who come after. It assures us that God is attentive to the details of our lives, even those we deem insignificant, and that His purposes are carried out with precision across the span of human history.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies shape our understanding of God's attention to detail in our own lives?**
* **In what ways does understanding our spiritual heritage (our place in God's family) provide comfort or direction for our lives today?**
* **What does this verse, part of a long list, teach us about the value God places on every individual, even those not central to the main narrative?**

### FAQ
**Why are these genealogies so long and detailed in 1 Chronicles?**

Answer: The extensive genealogies in 1 Chronicles served several crucial purposes for the post-exilic Israelite community. They were vital for re-establishing national and tribal identity after the Babylonian exile, validating claims to land inheritance, confirming eligibility for priestly and Levitical service, and demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people. They also provided a continuous historical record from creation, reinforcing the divine plan that would culminate in the Davidic dynasty and ultimately, the Messiah. This meticulous record-keeping provided a sense of continuity and legitimacy for a people rebuilding their lives and faith, as seen in the importance of lineage in books like [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - Return from Exile and Genealogies") and [Nehemiah 7](/nehemiah/7 "Nehemiah 7 - Register of Those Who Returned").

**Do the individual names in such lists have special significance or hidden meanings?**

Answer: While many Hebrew names do carry significant meanings (e.g., Reuel meaning "Friend of God"), in long genealogical lists like 1 Chronicles 1:37, the primary function of the individual names is identification rather than conveying a specific theological message through their etymology. The theological significance lies more in their inclusion within the divinely preserved record, demonstrating God's comprehensive knowledge and sovereign oversight of all humanity and history, rather than in the individual meanings of each name.

**How do these Edomite names relate to the broader Israelite story?**

Answer: The inclusion of Edomite lineages, like the sons of Reuel, within the comprehensive genealogies of 1 Chronicles highlights the broader family of humanity descending from Noah and, more specifically, the lineage of Esau, who was Jacob's brother. This demonstrates the interconnectedness of early nations and acknowledges the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the proliferation of his descendants into "many nations" (cf. [Genesis 17:4](/genesis/17-4 "Genesis 17:4 - God's Covenant with Abraham")), even through branches not directly in the covenant line of Israel. It provides a complete historical backdrop against which the specific narrative of Israel and the ultimate messianic line can be understood.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 1:37, listing the sons of Reuel from Esau's line, does not directly trace the messianic lineage, its very presence within the meticulous genealogies of 1 Chronicles contributes profoundly to a Christ-centered understanding of redemptive history. These exhaustive records, spanning from [Adam](/1_chronicles/1-1 "1 Chronicles 1:1 - Adam to Noah") through various nations and ultimately to Israel, underscore God's sovereign control over all of history and lineage. They demonstrate His unwavering faithfulness in preserving a specific line through which the promised seed would come. The divine meticulousness evident in documenting even seemingly peripheral family trees like Reuel's sons testifies to the precision with which God orchestrated every detail, ensuring the advent of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The ultimate purpose of these foundational lists is to establish the historical anchor for the lineage of [Jesus Christ](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), proving His rightful claim as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning a descendant of Abraham ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "Genesis 22:18 - Abrahamic Covenant Fulfilled")) and David ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - Davidic Covenant")). Thus, even a verse like 1 Chronicles 1:37, by its contribution to the grand tapestry of biblical history, points to the God who meticulously prepares the way for the [Savior of the world](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - Jesus, the Savior of the World").

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.