1 Chronicles 4:27

And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of Judah.

And Shimei {H8096} had sixteen {H8337}{H6240} sons {H1121} and six {H8337} daughters {H1323}; but his brethren {H251} had not many {H7227} children {H1121}, neither did all their family {H4940} multiply {H7235}, like to the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063}.

Shim'i had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, so their clans did not increase like those of Y'hudah.

Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children, so their whole clan did not become as numerous as the sons of Judah.

And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply like to the children of Judah.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 4:27

1 Chronicles 4:27 reads: "And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of Judah."

Context

This verse is found within the extensive genealogies that open the book of 1 Chronicles. Chapters 1-9 are dedicated to tracing the lineage of Israel, from Adam through the various tribes, culminating in the family of King Saul and the descendants of David. These lists were crucial for the post-exilic community in Judah to re-establish their tribal identities, land claims, and priestly functions. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 4 focuses on the descendants of Judah and Simeon. Verse 27 highlights a detail within the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon, noting the significant progeny of one individual, Shimei, in contrast to his kinsmen, and emphasizing the overall smaller growth of Simeon compared to the much larger and more prominent tribe of Judah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Blessing in Progeny: In ancient Israel, a large family was often seen as a significant sign of divine blessing and the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham to make his descendants numerous. Shimei's large family stands out as an example of such blessing within his tribe.
  • Tribal Distinction and Demographics: The verse draws a clear distinction between the family size of Shimei and his brethren, and then between the overall multiplication of Simeon and Judah. This highlights the varied growth and prominence of the tribes, foreshadowing their historical roles and eventual fate.
  • The Preeminence of Judah: The concluding phrase, "like to the children of Judah," serves as a powerful comparison. Judah was the tribe from which the royal line of David would come, and later, the Messiah. This contrast subtly highlights the eventual preeminence of the tribe of Judah, from which the Davidic monarchy and the Messiah would arise.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "multiply" is rabah (Χ¨ΦΈΧ‘ΦΈΧ”), which means to become great, numerous, or abundant. This term is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe God's blessing of fertility and growth, particularly in relation to the patriarchal promises of a numerous offspring. Its use here underscores that the lack of multiplication for Shimei's brethren and the tribe of Simeon was notable, especially when compared to Judah.

Significance and Application

While a seemingly minor detail within a long list of names, this verse offers several insights:

  • God's Sovereignty in History: It reminds us that God is intricately involved in the details of human history, even in the demographics and growth of families and nations. The varying sizes of the tribes were not random but part of God's sovereign plan.
  • Value of Family and Lineage: The meticulous record-keeping of these genealogies emphasizes the importance of family, heritage, and the preservation of lineage in God's plan, especially leading to the fulfillment of His promises through specific families.
  • Lessons in Contrasting Fortunes: The comparison between Shimei's family, his brethren, and the tribe of Judah serves as a reminder that blessings and growth are not uniform. It encourages reflection on how God works differently in various lives and communities, always according to His greater purpose.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 26:14 (3 votes)

    These [are] the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.

  • Numbers 26:22 (3 votes)

    These [are] the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.

  • Numbers 2:13 (3 votes)

    And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

  • Numbers 2:4 (2 votes)

    And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.