1 Chronicles 4:26

KJV

And the sons of Mishma; Hamuel his son, Zacchur his son, Shimei his son.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Mishma {H4927}; Hamuel {H2536} his son {H1121}, Zacchur {H2139} his son {H1121}, Shimei {H8096} his son {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The descendants of Mishma: his son Hamu'el, his son Zakur, his son Shim'i.

Berean Standard Bible

The sons of Mishma: Hammuel, Zaccur, and Shimei.

American Standard Version

And the sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 4:26 meticulously records a segment of the genealogical lineage of the tribe of Simeon, specifically listing Hamuel, Zacchur, and Shimei as the direct descendants of Mishma. This concise verse, embedded within the extensive opening genealogies of 1 Chronicles, serves to establish and preserve the historical continuity and tribal identity of Israel, underscoring the divine faithfulness in maintaining the covenant line.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the expansive genealogical records that dominate the first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles, which trace Israel's lineage from Adam through the patriarchs and then focus on the twelve tribes. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 4 details the descendants of Judah and Simeon. Verse 26 is part of the enumeration of Simeon's tribal families (1 Chronicles 4:24-43), following the initial listing of Simeon's sons and preceding further details about their settlements and expansion. The chronicler's meticulous attention to these names emphasizes the continuity of the Israelite people and their tribal identities, providing a foundational historical and legal framework for the post-exilic community to whom the book was primarily addressed. This section, though seemingly dry, is crucial for understanding the social, religious, and land-ownership structures of ancient Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles was likely composed in the post-exilic period (c. 450-400 BC), after the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity. For this community, establishing their identity, re-affirming their tribal affiliations, and re-claiming ancestral lands were paramount. Genealogies served as vital legal and historical documents, validating claims to land, priestly service, and tribal membership. The detailed record of Simeon's descendants, even a seemingly minor branch like Mishma's, reinforced the legitimacy and continuity of the returned exiles as the true Israel. The tribe of Simeon, notably, had its inheritance within the territory of Judah, as detailed in [Joshua 19:1-9](/joshua/19-1 "Joshua 19:1-9 - Simeon's Inheritance"), and later appears to have been largely absorbed into Judah, making the preservation of its distinct lineage particularly significant.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of 1 Chronicles 4:26 contributes to several overarching themes in the book. First, it highlights **Historical Record and Continuity**, demonstrating God's meticulous preservation of the lineage of His people, thereby affirming the unbroken chain of generations and the faithfulness of His covenant promises. Second, it underscores the importance of **Tribal Identity** within ancient Israel; each name contributes to the larger mosaic of tribal relationships and responsibilities, crucial for national cohesion and adherence to the Mosaic Law. The precise naming reinforces the distinctiveness and heritage of each family unit. Finally, the very presence of such detailed, seemingly minor information reflects **God's Meticulousness and Sovereignty** over history. It suggests that every individual and every generation, no matter how seemingly obscure, is known and accounted for in God's grand design, indicating His active involvement in the specific lives and histories of His people, a theme echoed in the divine knowledge of all things in [Psalm 139:1-6](/psalm/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-6 - God's Omniscience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mishma (Hebrew, _Mišmā'_)**: The name Mishma itself means "hearing" or "report." In this context, it functions as a foundational name, marking a specific branch within the tribe of Simeon. The verse then proceeds to list his direct male descendants, emphasizing the generational progression from this specific ancestor. The very act of "hearing" or "reporting" these names underscores the chronicler's purpose: to faithfully transmit the historical record.
* **Hamuel (Hebrew, _Ḥămu'ēl_)**: This name means "God's heat" or "God is wrath" (though some interpretations suggest "anger of God" or "sun of God"). While the individual meaning of the name is not directly expounded upon in the text, its inclusion signifies a distinct person within the lineage. The presence of "El" (God) within the name is common in Hebrew nomenclature, subtly pointing to the divine context in which these lives were lived and recorded.
* **Shimei (Hebrew, _Šim'î_)**: Meaning "my renown" or "heard," Shimei is a common biblical name. Its presence here, as the final name in this specific sequence, marks the extent of the lineage being recorded from Mishma in this particular verse. The name's meaning could subtly reinforce the idea that these individuals, though perhaps not famous in their own right, were "heard" or "known" in the divine record, contributing to the "renown" of their family line.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Mishma;"**: This opening clause establishes the direct lineage being traced. It immediately identifies the patriarch from whom the subsequent names descend, placing them within a specific family unit and tribal branch. This formulaic introduction is typical of biblical genealogies, ensuring clarity in the generational progression.
* **"Hamuel his son,"**: This identifies the first direct male descendant of Mishma. The phrase "his son" explicitly states the paternal relationship, reinforcing the direct line of descent. This meticulous naming is crucial for establishing the legal and historical validity of the lineage.
* **"Zacchur his son,"**: This continues the direct line of descent, identifying Zacchur as the son of Hamuel. The repetition of "his son" emphasizes the unbroken chain of male succession, which was vital for tribal identity, inheritance, and the preservation of the covenant promises.
* **"Shimei his son."**: This concludes the specific sequence of descendants listed in this verse, identifying Shimei as the son of Zacchur. The final "his son" brings this particular genealogical segment to a close, providing a precise record of three generations stemming from Mishma, each link in the chain carefully noted.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 4:26, and indeed throughout the genealogical sections of 1 Chronicles, is **Enumeration**. The verse is a straightforward list of names, systematically counting and identifying individuals within a family line. This precise listing serves a documentary purpose, creating a historical record. Closely related is **Repetition**, specifically of the phrase "his son," which appears three times. This repetitive structure reinforces the direct, generational succession and emphasizes the unbroken chain of descent, which was paramount for establishing tribal and familial claims in ancient Israel. Furthermore, the entire section functions as a **Genealogy**, which itself is a distinct literary form in ancient Near Eastern literature, designed to establish identity, legitimacy, and continuity, often with a theological underpinning that connects human history to divine purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While 1 Chronicles 4:26 may appear to be a mere list of names, its theological significance lies in its contribution to the overarching narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. The meticulous preservation of these lineages, even those of seemingly minor figures within the tribe of Simeon, demonstrates God's sovereign hand in history and His unwavering commitment to His promises. It underscores the truth that every individual, every generation, and every family unit is known and valued by God, playing a part in His grand redemptive plan. This attention to detail reflects the divine care that extends beyond the famous figures to the ordinary members of His people, affirming their identity and place within the unfolding story of salvation. The chronicler's emphasis on these genealogies served to remind the post-exilic community of their roots, their divine election, and their continuity as the people of God, despite the disruptions of exile.

* [Genesis 10:1-32](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations")
* [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus")
* [Nehemiah 7:6-69](/nehemiah/7-69 "Nehemiah 7:6-69 - List of Those Who Returned")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often values fame and outward achievement, 1 Chronicles 4:26 offers a profound, if subtle, reminder of the divine perspective on human life. These names, seemingly obscure to a modern reader, were vital links in a chain that God meticulously preserved. This verse encourages us to consider that our lives, even in their quietest moments and seemingly ordinary contributions, are known and valued by God. It affirms that we are part of a larger, unfolding narrative—God's story of redemption—and that our existence has purpose within His sovereign plan. Just as God kept track of every generation leading to the fulfillment of His promises, so too does He orchestrate the details of our lives, ensuring that we are never forgotten or insignificant in His eyes. This should inspire a deeper trust in His meticulous care and a recognition of our unique place within His eternal purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's meticulous recording of genealogies, even seemingly "minor" ones, challenge our modern tendency to value only what is famous or outwardly significant?**
* **What does God's attention to individual names and lineages in Scripture teach us about His care for each person's life and story today?**
* **In what ways can understanding our own "roots"—whether familial, cultural, or spiritual—provide a deeper sense of identity and purpose in light of God's grand narrative?**

### FAQ
**Why are there so many genealogies in the Bible, especially in 1 Chronicles?**

Answer: The extensive genealogies in 1 Chronicles, including 1 Chronicles 4:26, serve multiple crucial purposes, particularly for the post-exilic community for whom the book was written. First, they established **identity and continuity** for a people returning from exile, reminding them of their heritage as God's chosen nation, tracing their lineage back to Adam and the patriarchs. Second, they were vital for **legal and social validation**, confirming tribal affiliations, land rights, and eligibility for priestly or royal service (e.g., the lineage of Judah leading to David, or Levi for the priesthood). Third, they provided a **historical framework**, connecting the present community to their past and demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people through generations, even through periods of judgment and exile. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the historical reliability of the biblical narrative and God's sovereign hand in human history, leading ultimately to the promised Messiah, whose lineage is also carefully recorded in the New Testament, such as in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 4:26, with its list of names, does not directly prophesy Christ, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment by contributing to the meticulous preservation of the lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come. The chronicler's painstaking effort to record every generation, particularly those within the tribe of Judah (which precedes and follows the Simeon account in 1 Chronicles 4), underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, especially the promise of a coming King from the line of David. Every name, every "his son," in these genealogies, no matter how obscure, represents a link in the unbroken chain that God sovereignly maintained, ensuring the physical and legal lineage of Jesus Christ. The very existence of such detailed records in the Old Testament provides the historical bedrock for the New Testament claims of Jesus' messianic identity, as seen in the genealogies presented in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus"). Thus, 1 Chronicles 4:26, though seemingly mundane, is a testament to the divine orchestrator of history, who meticulously prepares the way for 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"), demonstrating that even the "dry" lists of Scripture point to the living hope found in Christ Jesus.

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.