1 Chronicles 2:39

KJV

And Azariah begat Helez, and Helez begat Eleasah,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Azariah {H5838} begat {H3205} Helez {H2503}, and Helez {H2503} begat {H3205} Eleasah {H501},

Complete Jewish Bible

'Azaryah fathered Heletz, Heletz fathered El'asah,

Berean Standard Bible

Azariah was the father of Helez, Helez was the father of Elasah,

American Standard Version

and Azariah begat Helez, and Helez begat Eleasah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 2:39, "And Azariah begat Helez, and Helez begat Eleasah," is a concise yet profoundly significant entry within the extensive genealogies of Israel. Far from being a mere list of names, this verse, nestled within the lineage of Judah and specifically the descendants of Caleb, meticulously records the continuity of a family line. It serves as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His people and orchestrating His divine plan through successive generations, ultimately pointing towards the fulfillment of His promises in the grand narrative of salvation history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles opens with nine chapters dedicated almost entirely to genealogies, tracing the lineage from Adam through the various tribes of Israel. This meticulous record-keeping served a crucial purpose for the post-exilic community, reaffirming their identity, tribal affiliations, land rights, and the legitimacy of the priesthood and Davidic monarchy. [Chapter 2](/1_chronicles/2 "1 Chronicles 2 - The Descendants of Judah") specifically focuses on the tribe of Judah, from which the Davidic dynasty and the Messiah would ultimately come. Within this chapter, verses 18-55 detail the descendants of Caleb, a prominent figure known for his unwavering faith and courage, as highlighted in [Numbers 14:24](/numbers/14-24 "Numbers 14:24 - Caleb's Faithfulness"). Verse 39 is a small, yet vital, link in this specific sub-lineage, demonstrating the Chronicler's commitment to detail and continuity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For the ancient Israelites, especially those returning from Babylonian exile, genealogies were far more than historical curiosities; they were foundational documents. They established one's place within the covenant community, validated claims to ancestral land, and confirmed eligibility for specific roles, particularly within the priesthood (e.g., [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Priestly Lineage") and [Nehemiah 7:64](/nehemiah/7-64 "Nehemiah 7:64 - Priestly Lineage")). The meticulous recording of "who begat whom" (meaning 'who fathered whom') underscored the importance of purity of lineage and the preservation of tribal identity in a society where one's heritage dictated much of their social and religious standing. This was particularly true for the tribe of Judah, which held the promise of kingship and, ultimately, the Messiah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, like others in the genealogical sections of Chronicles, contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it emphasizes the **Continuity of Lineage** and God's **Divine Preservation** of His people, ensuring that His covenant promises would be passed down through generations, even amidst exile and dispersion. Secondly, it highlights the importance of **Historical Record and Identity**, providing the returning exiles with a tangible connection to their past and a reaffirmation of their place in God's ongoing story. Finally, and most profoundly, these meticulous lists underscore **God's Sovereign Plan**. Each name, including Azariah, Helez, and Eleasah, is a thread in the intricate tapestry of divine providence, meticulously woven to lead to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes, culminating in the [lineage of Jesus Christ](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") as recorded in the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Begat (Hebrew, _yalad_):** This verb, repeated twice in the verse, signifies "to bear," "to bring forth," or "to father." In genealogical contexts, it denotes direct paternal descent, emphasizing the unbroken chain of generations. Its repetition underscores the Chronicler's meticulous attention to the transmission of lineage, highlighting the biological and covenantal continuity that was essential for establishing identity and demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving His chosen lines.
* **Azariah (Hebrew, עֲזַרְיָה, _'Azaryah_):** Meaning "Yahweh has helped" or "My help is Yahweh." This theophoric name, common in ancient Israel, subtly points to divine assistance and providence in the continuation of the family line. Even in a simple genealogical entry, the name itself can carry a theological resonance, suggesting God's active involvement in the lives of these individuals and the preservation of their lineage.
* **Eleasah (Hebrew, אֶלְעָשָׂה, _'El'asah_):** Meaning "God has made" or "God has done." Similar to Azariah, this name contains a divine element, "El" (God). Its meaning reinforces the theme of divine action and sovereignty. The existence of these individuals, and the continuation of their line, is ultimately attributed to God's creative and sustaining work, even in the seemingly mundane act of procreation and familial succession.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Azariah begat Helez":** This clause establishes the first father-son relationship, marking the direct descent from Azariah to Helez. It is a simple statement of fact, yet it carries the weight of historical continuity and the divine promise of preservation through generations. Azariah, though not a prominent narrative figure, is affirmed as a link in a chain that leads to significant historical and theological outcomes.
* **"and Helez begat Eleasah":** This second clause continues the lineage, extending the chain by one more generation. The repetition of "begat" reinforces the meticulous nature of the record and the unbroken succession. It highlights that God's plan unfolds one generation at a time, through the seemingly ordinary lives of individuals like Helez and Eleasah, each playing their part in the grand tapestry of salvation history.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 2:39, and indeed throughout the initial chapters of the book, is **Genealogy**. This is not merely a list for historical record-keeping; it functions as a theological statement. By meticulously tracing lineages, the Chronicler emphasizes God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people and orchestrating His plan through human history. The **Repetition** of the verb "begat" throughout these lists serves to underscore the unbroken continuity of the family lines, reinforcing the theme of divine preservation and the fulfillment of promises across generations. Despite the apparent simplicity and brevity of the entries, there is a profound **Conciseness** that belies the immense theological weight. Each name represents a life, a family, and a link in a divinely ordained chain, demonstrating that even seemingly obscure individuals play a vital role in God's overarching narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 2:39, though a brief genealogical entry, profoundly underscores the meticulous and faithful nature of God's sovereign plan. It reminds us that God works through the ordinary, through generations, to bring about His extraordinary purposes. The preservation of these lineages was not merely for historical accuracy but to demonstrate God's covenant loyalty—His promise to maintain a people for Himself and to bring forth the promised Seed. Every "begat" is a testament to God's active involvement in human history, weaving together individual lives into a grand narrative of redemption. It speaks to the truth that no life is insignificant in God's eyes, and even those who leave no detailed narrative behind are vital threads in His unfolding design.

* [Genesis 5:1-32](/genesis/5-1 "Genesis 5 - The Genealogy from Adam to Noah") - Illustrates the biblical pattern of extensive genealogies used to trace humanity's lineage and God's continued work through generations.
* [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") - Demonstrates the ultimate theological purpose of such genealogies, culminating in the lineage of Jesus Christ, validating His claim as the promised Messiah.
* [Numbers 14:24](/numbers/14-24 "Numbers 14:24 - Caleb's Faithfulness") - Provides context for Caleb, the prominent ancestor of Azariah, highlighting the faithfulness that characterized this lineage and God's blessing upon it.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often values prominence and visible achievement, 1 Chronicles 2:39 offers a profound counter-narrative. Azariah, Helez, and Eleasah are not celebrated heroes with dramatic stories, yet their names are meticulously preserved in sacred scripture. This reminds us that every individual life, no matter how seemingly ordinary or obscure, holds intrinsic value and plays a part in God's grand design. It teaches us to trust in God's faithfulness across generations, knowing that He is meticulously working out His purposes even when we cannot see the full picture. Our lives, too, are woven into a larger spiritual heritage, and we are called to be faithful links in the chain, passing on the truth of God's Word and the legacy of faith to those who come after us, just as the generations before us did. This verse encourages us to find significance not in our own renown, but in our participation in God's eternal story, trusting that He is sovereign over every detail and every life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inclusion of seemingly "minor" figures like Azariah, Helez, and Eleasah in the biblical genealogies challenge our modern emphasis on individual fame and prominence?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's faithfulness and meticulous attention to detail in His overarching plan for humanity?**
* **In what ways are we, as believers today, part of a spiritual lineage, and what responsibility does that entail for passing on our faith to future generations?**
* **How can we find comfort and purpose in knowing that God values every life, even those not highlighted with extensive narratives?**

### FAQ
**Why are there so many genealogies in the Bible, especially in Chronicles?**

Answer: Genealogies in the Bible, particularly in books like 1 Chronicles, serve several crucial purposes beyond mere historical record-keeping. For the post-exilic community to whom Chronicles was written, these lists were vital for re-establishing their identity and connection to their heritage after generations in Babylon. They validated tribal membership, confirmed land rights, and, most importantly, established the legitimacy of the priesthood (e.g., [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Priestly Lineage")) and the Davidic monarchy. The meticulous recording of "who begat whom" demonstrated God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people and ensuring the continuity of the lines through which His promises would be fulfilled. Ultimately, these genealogies point to God's sovereign plan, meticulously tracing the lineage that would eventually lead to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as seen in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus"). They transform what might seem like dry lists into powerful theological statements about God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes through history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane genealogical entry of 1 Chronicles 2:39 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Each "begat" in the long list of names, including Azariah, Helez, and Eleasah, represents a step in the meticulously orchestrated divine plan to bring forth the promised Seed, the Messiah. While these individuals may not have understood their precise role, they were nonetheless vital links in the chain that led directly to the incarnation of God's Son. The Chronicler's emphasis on the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David (as seen in [1 Chronicles 3](/1_chronicles/3 "1 Chronicles 3 - The Sons of David")) foreshadows the ultimate King who would come from this very line. The meticulous preservation of these names, even the obscure ones, highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, culminating in the birth of Jesus, who is the [Son of David, the Son of Abraham](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Jesus, Son of David, Son of Abraham"). He is the one in whom all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Thus, 1 Chronicles 2:39, like every other genealogical entry, silently yet powerfully testifies to the sovereign hand of God guiding history toward its climactic moment in the person and work 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.