1 Chronicles 2:6

KJV

And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Zerah {H2226}; Zimri {H2174}, and Ethan {H387}, and Heman {H1968}, and Calcol {H3633}, and Dara {H1873}: five {H2568} of them in all.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sons of Zerach: Zimri, Eitan, Heiman, Kalkol and Dara - five of them altogether.

Berean Standard Bible

The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five in all.

American Standard Version

And the sons of Zerah: Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara; five of them in all.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 2:6 meticulously lists the five sons of Zerah—Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—serving as a vital link in the extensive genealogy of Judah. This verse, part of the Chronicler's detailed record of Israel's tribal lineages, underscores the divine faithfulness in preserving the chosen people and the specific family lines through which God's redemptive plan would unfold, subtly highlighting individuals who would later be renowned for wisdom and service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles opens with a sweeping genealogical record, tracing humanity from Adam, through the patriarchs, and then focusing intensely on the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel). Chapter 2 specifically narrows its focus to the descendants of Judah, the royal tribe, beginning with his sons and then detailing the lineages of Perez and Zerah, born to Tamar. Verse 6 is situated within the enumeration of Zerah's direct offspring (1 Chronicles 2:5-8), providing a precise list of his five sons. This meticulous detailing of the Judahite line is crucial for establishing the historical and theological foundation for the Davidic dynasty, which is the Chronicler's primary interest in this section, ultimately leading to the lineage of the Messiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Chronicler wrote primarily for the post-exilic community returning to Judah. This period was marked by a profound need for national and spiritual re-establishment. Genealogies were not merely dry lists; they were foundational documents in ancient Israelite society, essential for confirming tribal identity, validating land claims, establishing eligibility for priestly or royal service, and reinforcing the continuity of God's covenant promises. By providing such detailed records, the Chronicler aimed to reassure the returning exiles of their heritage, their place in God's ongoing plan, and their connection to the promises made to their ancestors, particularly the Davidic covenant. This meticulous record-keeping helped to rebuild a fragmented society by connecting them to their past and providing a framework for their future.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, embedded within the broader genealogies of 1 Chronicles, contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the **divine faithfulness** in preserving the lineage through which the covenant promises would be fulfilled, ultimately leading to the Messiah. Secondly, it emphasizes the **importance of heritage and identity** for the post-exilic community, grounding them in their ancestral roots and God's historical work. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **wisdom and service**, as some of Zerah's sons, notably [Ethan and Heman](/1_kings/4-31 "1 Kings 4:31 - Solomon's Wisdom Compared"), are later recognized for their exceptional wisdom and musical contributions, demonstrating that even within a genealogical list, individuals of significant future impact are noted. This foreshadows the diverse ways in which God uses individuals within His grand narrative, even those briefly mentioned in a lineage.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zerah (Hebrew, _Zerach'_):** This name, meaning "rising" or "brightness," belongs to one of the twin sons of Judah and Tamar, born under unusual circumstances as described in [Genesis 38](/genesis/38 "Genesis 38 - Judah and Tamar"). While not explicitly commented upon in 1 Chronicles, his name carries the weight of this unique birth narrative, marking him as a significant progenitor in the Judahite line, distinct from his brother Perez, through whom the Davidic line would eventually come. The recurrence of this name for other Israelites, Idumaeans, and an Ethiopian prince (as per H2226) underscores its broader usage, yet here it specifically denotes this pivotal figure in Judah's lineage.
* **sons (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to build," this term (H1121) signifies a son as a builder of the family name, encompassing a wide range of literal and figurative relationships, including direct male offspring, grandsons, subjects, or even a quality or condition. In this context, it precisely denotes the direct male descendants of Zerah, emphasizing the patrilineal nature of Israelite genealogies essential for accurate and unbroken transmission of the family line, tribal identity, inheritance, and the fulfillment of covenant promises.
* **five (Hebrew, _châmêsh'_):** As a primitive numeral (H2568), the explicit mention of "five" underscores the Chronicler's meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in recording these genealogies. It provides a definitive count for Zerah's immediate male descendants, reinforcing the comprehensive and reliable nature of the historical record being presented and leaving no ambiguity about the immediate family unit being described.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Zerah;":** This introductory phrase clearly establishes the subject of the verse, linking it directly to the preceding genealogical information about Judah's family. It signals a precise shift in focus to the specific lineage stemming from Zerah, one of Judah's prominent sons, setting the stage for the enumeration that follows.
* **"Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara:":** This is the core of the verse, providing the precise enumeration of Zerah's five direct male descendants. The listing of these names is essential for the genealogical record, serving as a foundational block in the broader tribal structure. The inclusion of Ethan and Heman is particularly notable, as these names appear elsewhere in the Old Testament associated with significant wisdom and musical contributions, hinting at future prominence from this lineage.
* **"five of them in all.":** This concluding phrase serves as a summary and confirmation, reiterating the exact number of sons listed. It emphasizes the completeness and precision of the Chronicler's record, leaving no ambiguity about the immediate family unit being described and reinforcing the reliability of the historical account.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Chronicles 2:6, and indeed throughout much of the early chapters of Chronicles, is **Genealogy** or **Catalog**. This is a systematic listing of ancestors and descendants, serving not just as a historical record but as a profound theological statement. It establishes lineage, validates claims, and demonstrates the continuity of God's covenant people. Closely related is **Enumeration**, the explicit counting of items or individuals (e.g., "five of them in all"), which reinforces the meticulousness and reliability of the record. Furthermore, there is a subtle form of **Foreshadowing** at play. While the verse itself is a simple list, the inclusion of names like Ethan and Heman, who are known from other biblical texts for their wisdom and musical skill, adds a layer of depth. For those familiar with the broader biblical narrative, these names are not just entries on a list but point to individuals who would contribute significantly to Israel's spiritual and intellectual heritage, subtly hinting at the future contributions from this lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 2:6, though a seemingly simple genealogical entry, is profoundly significant within the Chronicler's theological framework. It speaks to God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering faithfulness in preserving the covenant line. The precision in recording each name, even those not extensively elaborated upon, underscores the divine intentionality behind the unfolding of salvation history. These genealogies are not merely historical archives; they are testaments to God's commitment to His promises, ensuring the continuity of a chosen people through whom His redemptive plan would ultimately culminate. The inclusion of individuals like Ethan and Heman, later renowned for wisdom and worship, further illustrates that God's plan encompasses not just lineage but also the gifts and callings of individuals within that lineage, contributing to the spiritual and cultural fabric of Israel.

* [Genesis 38:29-30](/genesis/38-29 "Genesis 38:29-30 - The Birth of Perez and Zerah")
* [1 Kings 4:31](/1_kings/4-31 "1 Kings 4:31 - Solomon's Wisdom Compared to Others")
* [Psalm 88:1](/psalms/88-1 "Psalm 88:1 - A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite")
* [Psalm 89:1](/psalms/89-1 "Psalm 89:1 - A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often values only the prominent and the powerful, 1 Chronicles 2:6 reminds us of the profound significance God places on every individual, even those whose stories are briefly told or whose names appear in a long list. This verse, like all genealogies in Scripture, is a testament to God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign hand guiding the course of human history through generations. It encourages us to recognize that our lives, no matter how ordinary they may seem, are intricately woven into God's grand tapestry of redemption. Just as Ethan and Heman, initially just names in a list, later emerged as figures of wisdom and worship, so too can our seemingly small acts of faithfulness, our quiet service, and our consistent pursuit of God leave a lasting legacy that contributes to His kingdom. This verse calls us to embrace our place in God's ongoing story, trusting that He sees, knows, and values every life, and that our contributions, however humble, are significant in His eternal plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, like 1 Chronicles 2:6, speak to God's care and intentionality for individual lives within His grand plan?**
* **In what ways can we, like Ethan and Heman, cultivate gifts or character traits that contribute to God's kingdom, even if our primary role seems "ordinary"?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of legacy and the impact our lives can have on future generations, even beyond our direct knowledge?**

### FAQ
**Why are genealogies, like the one in 1 Chronicles 2:6, so prominent in the Bible, and what is their practical significance for us today?**

Answer: Genealogies are prominent in the Bible for several crucial reasons, especially in books like 1 Chronicles. For the original post-exilic audience, they served as foundational documents to re-establish their identity, confirm tribal affiliations, validate land claims, and ensure the legitimacy of priestly and royal offices. They were vital for rebuilding a society that had lost its structure during exile. Theologically, these lists underscore God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating how He meticulously preserved the lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold, ultimately leading to the Messiah. For us today, 1 Chronicles 2:6 and similar passages remind us that God is a God of history and detail. Every life, even those briefly mentioned, is significant in His eyes. It teaches us about the continuity of God's work across generations, the importance of our heritage, and the truth that our lives, too, are part of His grand, unfolding narrative. The subtle mention of Zerah's sons, like [Ethan and Heman](/1_kings/4-31 "1 Kings 4:31 - Solomon's Wisdom Compared"), who later gained renown, also reminds us that seemingly ordinary individuals can leave extraordinary legacies of wisdom, art, or service that impact generations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 2:6 appears to be a simple list of names, its profound Christ-centered fulfillment lies in its contribution to the unbroken chain of lineage that culminates in Jesus Christ. The meticulous preservation of Zerah's sons within the tribe of Judah underscores God's sovereign control over history and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Though the Davidic line descends through Perez, Zerah's twin, the inclusion of Zerah's complete family ensures the comprehensive record of Judah's descendants, from whom the Messiah was prophesied to come. This genealogical precision, though seemingly dry, forms the very backbone of the Gospel narrative, demonstrating that Jesus's arrival was not a random event but the culmination of centuries of divine planning and preservation. The genealogies in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ") trace this very lineage, confirming Jesus as the promised Son of David, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Thus, 1 Chronicles 2:6, by carefully documenting the family of Zerah, contributes to the irrefutable evidence that Jesus is indeed the "Root and the Descendant of David," the one who fulfills all the Old Testament promises, as proclaimed in [Revelation 22:16](/revelation/22-16 "Revelation 22:16 - Jesus, the Root and Descendant of David").

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 4:31

For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.

Joshua 7:17

And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:

Joshua 7:18

And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

Joshua 7:1

¶ But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.