1 Chronicles 1:13

And Canaan begat Zidon his firstborn, and Heth,

And Canaan {H3667} begat {H3205} Zidon {H6721} his firstborn {H1060}, and Heth {H2845},

Kena'an was the father of Tzidon his firstborn, and also of Het,

And Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites,

And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth,

Commentary

1 Chronicles 1:13 is a concise entry within the extensive genealogies that open the book of 1 Chronicles. This verse specifically identifies two of the sons of Canaan, a grandson of Noah through Ham: Zidon, his firstborn, and Heth. These individuals became the progenitors of significant ancient peoples, the Sidonians and the Hittites, respectively, whose histories are interwoven with that of ancient Israel.

Context

The book of 1 Chronicles begins with a detailed genealogical record, tracing humanity from Adam through various patriarchal lines, culminating in the lineage of David. This meticulous listing served several crucial purposes for the post-exilic community in Israel: to establish tribal identities, land claims, and the legitimacy of the priesthood and monarchy. Verse 13 falls within the section detailing the descendants of Noah's son Ham (Genesis 10:6), particularly through Canaan, whose lineage is significant due to his descendants inhabiting the land promised to Abraham.

Key Themes

  • Genealogical Precision: The verse highlights the Bible's emphasis on accurate historical records and the importance of lineage in understanding God's unfolding plan.
  • Origins of Nations: It explicitly names the ancestors of two prominent ancient Near Eastern peoples. Zidon was the progenitor of the Sidonians, known for their maritime prowess and as inhabitants of a major Phoenician city. Heth was the ancestor of the Hittites, a powerful empire often mentioned in biblical narratives, such as Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah from them (Genesis 23:10).
  • Historical Foundation: This seemingly simple listing grounds biblical narratives in real historical peoples and places, reinforcing the Bible's claim as a historical document.

Linguistic Insights

The names themselves offer insight:

  • Canaan (Hebrew: ื›ึฐึผื ึทืขึทืŸ, Kena'an) is the namesake of the land that became central to Israel's history.
  • Zidon (Hebrew: ืฆึดื™ื“ื•ึนืŸ, Tzidon) points directly to the city of Sidon, a significant port city in ancient Phoenicia, often paired with Tyre.
  • Heth (Hebrew: ื—ึตืช, Cheth) is the eponymous ancestor of the formidable Hittite people, whose empire stretched across Anatolia and the Levant.

Practical Application

While a genealogical entry might seem distant, 1 Chronicles 1:13 reminds us of God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereignty over human history. Every individual and every nation, even those seemingly minor in a long list, plays a part in His grand design. It underscores that God's plan unfolds through real people and real historical events, building towards the ultimate fulfillment of His promises, including the coming of the Messiah through a specific lineage.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 11:6 (2 votes)

    ยถ And David sent to Joab, [saying], Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

  • Genesis 49:30 (2 votes)

    In the cave that [is] in the field of Machpelah, which [is] before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

  • Genesis 49:32 (2 votes)

    The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was] from the children of Heth.

  • Genesis 23:20 (2 votes)

    And the field, and the cave that [is] therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.

  • Joshua 9:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ And it came to pass, when all the kings which [were] on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard [thereof];

  • Genesis 10:15 (2 votes)

    ยถ And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,

  • Genesis 10:19 (2 votes)

    And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.