1 Chronicles 4:37

KJV

And Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah;

KJV (with Strong's)

And Ziza {H2124} the son {H1121} of Shiphi {H8230}, the son {H1121} of Allon {H438}, the son {H1121} of Jedaiah {H3042}, the son {H1121} of Shimri {H8113}, the son {H1121} of Shemaiah {H8098};

Complete Jewish Bible

Ziza the son of Shif'i the son of Alon the son of Y'da'yah the son of Shimri the son of Sh'ma'yah -

Berean Standard Bible

and Ziza son of Shiphi (son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah).

American Standard Version

and Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah—

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 4:37 is a concise yet profoundly significant entry within the extensive genealogies of the book of 1 Chronicles, meticulously tracing a segment of the lineage for Ziza, a descendant of the tribe of Simeon. This verse, by detailing Ziza's ancestry through Shiphi, Allon, Jedaiah, Shimri, and Shemaiah, serves as a vital record for establishing tribal identity, validating land claims, and underscoring the continuity of God's covenant people in the post-exilic period. Its inclusion highlights the Chronicler's theological emphasis on God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His chosen lineage, even through seemingly minor individuals, as an integral part of His overarching redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of 1 Chronicles commences with nine chapters almost entirely devoted to genealogies, systematically tracing humanity from Adam through the patriarchs, the twelve tribes of Israel, and specifically the royal line of David, culminating in the post-exilic community. Chapter 4 narrows its focus to the descendants of Judah (verses 1-23) and Simeon (verses 24-43). Within this detailed framework, 1 Chronicles 4:37 is embedded in a comprehensive list of Simeonite families, their leaders, and their settlements, particularly those who expanded their territorial holdings. These genealogical lists are not mere historical archives; for the Chronicler, they serve a profound theological purpose: to establish the unbroken continuity of God's covenant people and their rightful inheritance of the land after the traumatic Babylonian exile. The meticulous nature of these records, including seemingly obscure names, underscores the Chronicler's commitment to demonstrating the enduring thread of God's faithfulness to His promises, even through generations that might otherwise be forgotten by human memory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The composition of 1 Chronicles is generally situated in the post-exilic period, likely in the late 5th or early 4th century BCE, a time when the Jewish community had returned from Babylon and was diligently striving to rebuild its national, religious, and social identity. In ancient Israelite society, genealogies were far more than simple family trees; they functioned as critical legal, social, and religious documents. They were indispensable for establishing tribal affiliation, validating claims to ancestral land inheritance, confirming eligibility for priestly or royal roles, and providing a crucial sense of continuity with the foundational covenant promises made to Abraham and David. For the returning exiles, a clear understanding of their lineage was paramount for re-establishing their place within the covenant community, reclaiming ancestral lands, and ensuring the purity and proper structure of their religious and social institutions. The inclusion of Simeonite lineages, even though Simeon's territory was historically absorbed into Judah's, reflects the Chronicler's comprehensive approach to all twelve tribes, emphasizing the unity and historical continuity of all Israel under God's covenant.
* **Key Themes:** The genealogies in 1 Chronicles, including the specific entry in 1 Chronicles 4:37, contribute significantly to several overarching theological themes. First, they powerfully emphasize **Divine Preservation of Lineage**, illustrating God's meticulous and sovereign care in maintaining the historical thread of His chosen people. This preservation was not arbitrary but crucial for the eventual advent of the Messiah, whose own lineage is carefully recorded in the New Testament, as seen in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus"). Second, these lists reinforce **Identity and Belonging**, providing the returning exiles with a tangible, unbreakable connection to their past, their tribal heritage, and their rightful place within God's chosen nation. Knowing one's ancestry was foundational to both personal and communal identity, ensuring the continuity of their heritage and land rights, a concept deeply ingrained in the narratives of [Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua - Conquest and Inheritance"). Third, the sheer detail, even for individuals like Ziza who have no accompanying narrative, points to **God's Meticulous Care** for every person within His grand, unfolding plan. It subtly suggests that no individual, however seemingly minor or unrecorded by human history, is overlooked by God, echoing the profound sentiment of [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalms/139-13-16 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us") regarding God's intimate and comprehensive knowledge of each person.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **son (Hebrew, בֶּן, _bên_):** Derived from the root meaning "to build," this word is fundamental to biblical genealogies, signifying direct paternal descent. It establishes the patrilineal line, which was paramount in Israelite society for determining tribal affiliation, inheritance rights, and social standing. The pervasive repetition of "son of" throughout genealogies like this one creates a chain of generations, emphasizing continuity and the meticulous tracing of lineage. In a broader sense, it highlights the importance of family and heritage in the divine plan, linking individuals to their ancestors and to the covenant community, and ultimately pointing to the foundational nature of family in God's design.
* **Ziza (Hebrew, זִיזָא, _Zîyzâʼ_):** This name, meaning "prominence," identifies the primary subject of this specific genealogical entry. While Ziza himself is not given a narrative in Scripture, the meaning of his name suggests a subtle significance, perhaps indicating a notable position or characteristic within his immediate family or clan. His inclusion, despite the lack of accompanying story, underscores the Chronicler's commitment to a comprehensive record of the Simeonite families, ensuring that even individuals whose prominence might have been localized or temporal were still acknowledged within the larger tapestry of Israel's history.
* **Shemaiah (Hebrew, שְׁמַעְיָה, _Shᵉmaʻyâh_):** This name, meaning "Jah has heard" or "Heard by Yahweh," is a common biblical name, appearing multiple times throughout the Old Testament. As the furthest ancestor listed for Ziza in this particular segment, Shemaiah serves as a foundational point of reference for this specific branch of the Simeonite family. The theological resonance of his name subtly reinforces a pervasive truth throughout the genealogies: God is attentive to His people. Even in a simple list of names, there is an implicit acknowledgment of God's active involvement, His listening ear, and His sovereign knowledge of His people's prayers and existence, affirming His covenant faithfulness across generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Ziza the son of Shiphi,"**: This opening clause introduces Ziza as the direct subject of this specific genealogical entry, immediately linking him to his father, Shiphi. The structure emphasizes the direct paternal relationship, which is the cornerstone of all biblical genealogies, defining an individual's identity primarily through their lineage and tribal affiliation.
* **"the son of Allon,"**: This phrase extends the lineage backward, identifying Shiphi's father as Allon. The continuous use of "the son of" creates an unbroken chain of descent, reinforcing the unbroken historical record and the importance of each successive generation in the family tree for maintaining tribal identity and inheritance rights.
* **"the son of Jedaiah,"**: Further extends the lineage, identifying Allon's father as Jedaiah. Each step backward in the genealogy adds to the depth and historical rootedness of Ziza's identity within the tribe of Simeon, connecting him to a broader network of ancestral ties.
* **"the son of Shimri,"**: Continues the backward progression, identifying Jedaiah's father as Shimri. This relentless tracing highlights the Chronicler's commitment to meticulous detail and the profound significance of every link in the chain for establishing and preserving tribal identity and continuity for the post-exilic community.
* **"the son of Shemaiah;"**: This concludes the specific segment of Ziza's ancestry provided in this verse, identifying Shimri's father as Shemaiah. Shemaiah serves as the ancestral anchor for this particular branch, providing a crucial point of reference for the family's historical and tribal standing within the broader Simeonite lineage, grounding Ziza's identity in a rich, multi-generational heritage.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 4:37, and indeed throughout the extensive genealogical sections of Chronicles, is **Genealogy** itself, functioning as a specific and highly purposeful literary form. This device is characterized by the systematic listing of ancestors and descendants, primarily through patrilineal lines. Its purpose extends far beyond mere historical record-keeping; it is employed to establish identity, validate claims (e.g., land ownership, priestly office, royal succession), and demonstrate continuity within the covenant community. Within this overarching genealogical structure, **Repetition** is a prominent and highly effective feature, particularly the repeated phrase "the son of." This anaphoric repetition, occurring five times in this single verse, creates a rhythmic and cumulative effect, emphasizing the unbroken chain of generations and the meticulous nature of the record. It underscores the profound importance of lineage and descent in the Israelite worldview, where individual and communal identity was deeply rooted in one's ancestral ties and tribal affiliation. The cumulative effect of these repeated phrases reinforces the Chronicler's theological agenda: to show God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His people through the generations, ensuring the continuity of the covenant and the eventual fulfillment of His divine promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While 1 Chronicles 4:37 may appear as a simple list of names, it carries profound theological weight, reflecting God's meticulous involvement in human history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. The very act of preserving such detailed genealogies, even for individuals without grand narratives, speaks volumes about God's sovereignty over time and generations. It underscores the belief that every life, every family, and every historical thread is known, valued, and orchestrated by a divine hand. This meticulous record-keeping served to remind the post-exilic community of their identity as God's chosen people, ensuring the preservation of tribal distinctions, land inheritances, and the royal and priestly lines essential for the future of Israel and the coming Messiah. It is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness, demonstrating that His promises are not forgotten but are meticulously woven into the very fabric of human history through successive generations, culminating in His ultimate redemptive plan.

* [Genesis 5:1](/genesis/5-1 "Genesis 5:1 - The Book of the Generations of Adam")
* [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")
* [Psalm 139:16](/psalms/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Our Days")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry list of names in 1 Chronicles 4:37 offers surprisingly rich ground for spiritual reflection and practical application for believers today. It serves as a profound reminder that God is a God of intricate details, intimately acquainted with every individual life, both past and present. Just as Ziza and his ancestors were known and meticulously recorded in the grand tapestry of Israel's history, so too are our lives, our heritage—both biological and spiritual—and our unique place in God's unfolding story known to Him. This verse encourages us to appreciate the significance of our own lineage and to recognize that we are part of a larger, continuous narrative of God's faithfulness across generations. It challenges us to consider how our lives, our choices, and our faithfulness contribute to the ongoing story of God's people and His redemptive plan in the world. Even when our contributions feel small, unrecorded by human hands, or seemingly insignificant, this verse assures us that our existence and our faithfulness are profoundly significant in God's sight, affirming that every life has purpose and value within His sovereign and eternal design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, like 1 Chronicles 4:37, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character and His intimate involvement in human history?**
* **In what ways do you perceive your own life and family heritage as part of a larger, ongoing narrative of God's faithfulness throughout history?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to know that God is intimately aware of every individual, even those whose names are simply listed without accompanying narratives or grand achievements?**

### FAQ

**Why are these long lists of names, like 1 Chronicles 4:37, included in the Bible? Don't they seem irrelevant to modern readers?**

Answer: While seemingly dry, these genealogies are far from irrelevant and held immense importance for the original audience, particularly the post-exilic community for whom Chronicles was written. They served multiple vital purposes:
1. **Establishing Identity:** They confirmed tribal affiliations, helping the returning exiles re-establish their place within the covenant community. Knowing one's lineage was foundational to personal and communal identity in ancient Israel.
2. **Validating Claims:** Genealogies were legal documents that validated claims to land inheritance, especially crucial for reclaiming ancestral territories after the exile. They also confirmed eligibility for priestly service (for the Levites) and royal authority (for the line of David).
3. **Demonstrating Continuity:** The Chronicler used these lists to show the unbroken continuity of God's covenant people from creation to their present day, emphasizing God's faithfulness despite Israel's failures and exile. This provided hope and assurance that God's promises would endure.
4. **Foreshadowing the Messiah:** Ultimately, these Old Testament genealogies laid the historical groundwork for the coming of the Messiah, whose lineage, as seen in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus"), had to be traceable to Abraham and David. Thus, even obscure names like Ziza's contribute to the grand, overarching narrative of salvation history.

**Does this verse have any direct relevance for Christians today, given its primary focus on ancient Israelite lineage?**

Answer: Absolutely. While Christians are not bound by physical tribal lineages, 1 Chronicles 4:37 and similar genealogical passages offer profound spiritual relevance for believers today:
1. **God's Meticulous Care:** It powerfully illustrates that God is a God of intricate details, intimately aware of every individual life. Even in a long list of names, each person is known and valued by Him, affirming the truth that our lives are not random but purposively designed by God, as [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalms/139-13-16 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us") beautifully describes.
2. **Our Place in God's Story:** Just as Ziza had a specific place in the lineage of Simeon, every believer has a unique and vital place in God's unfolding redemptive story. We are not isolated individuals but part of a spiritual heritage, a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")).
3. **Faithfulness Across Generations:** The genealogies remind us of God's enduring faithfulness through generations. They encourage us to consider our own spiritual heritage and to live in a way that honors those who came before us and lays a faithful foundation for those who will come after, echoing the call to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" ([Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - The Race of Faith")).
4. **The Sovereignty of God:** These lists demonstrate God's sovereign hand guiding history, ensuring the preservation of the lineage through which His ultimate plan of salvation would be realized in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane list of names in 1 Chronicles 4:37 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment within the grand sweep of biblical history, serving as a foundational stone in the edifice leading to the Messiah. The Chronicler's meticulous preservation of genealogies, including seemingly minor figures like Ziza and his ancestors, underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. These ancient records were not merely historical curiosities; they were vital for establishing the legitimate lineage through which the promised "seed" of Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham is Christ")) and the heir to David's throne ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")) would eventually come. Every name, every generation, contributed to the unbroken historical thread that ensured the Messiah's arrival would be in perfect accordance with divine prophecy. Thus, 1 Chronicles 4:37, by affirming the continuity and integrity of Israel's tribal structure, contributes to the historical framework that ultimately authenticates Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, the true Son of David, the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), whose lineage is meticulously traced in the Gospels of [Matthew](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus"), demonstrating His fulfillment of all the Old Testament promises and His rightful claim as the King of Israel and 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.