Does the longest genealogy in the Bible (1 Chronicles 1-9) teach us that humanity really is one large family? Do these family trees lend credibility to the historical accuracy of scripture? Did the male roles evident in these genealogies hurt or strengthen families? Let’s begin in 1 Chronicles 1.
What was the family tree from Adam to Japheth? Why is he named as an ancestor in official genealogies of many European kings?
Adam, Seth, Enosh; Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; Noah; Noah’s family: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Japheth’s family: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. Gomer’s family: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. Javan’s family: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim [Cyprus], and Rodanim. (1 Chronicles 1:1-7 CEB)
What was the family tree of Japheth’s brother Ham, who for most of history was viewed as an ancestor of important African peoples?
Ham was the father of Ethiopia [Cush], Egypt [Mizraim], Put, and Canaan, and they were the ancestors of the kingdoms named after them. Ethiopia was the ancestor of Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteca. Raamah was the ancestor of Sheba and Dedan. Ethiopia was also the father of Nimrod, the world's first mighty warrior. Egypt was the ancestor of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim, and Caphtorim, the ancestor of the Philistines. Canaan's oldest son was Sidon; his other son was Heth. Canaan was also the ancestor of the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and Arkites, the Sinites, the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. (1 Chronicles 1:8-16 CEV)
What was the family tree of Noah’s third son Shem, for most of history viewed as the father of important people groups from the Middle East to Asia?
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. And the sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. Arpachshad fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber [Heber]. To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg (for in his days the earth was divided), and his brother's name was Joktan. Joktan fathered Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan. Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah; Eber, Peleg, Reu; Serug, Nahor, Terah; Abram, that is, Abraham. (1 Chronicles 1:17-27 ESV)
What was the family tree of Abraham, acknowledged ancestor of many Middle Eastern peoples?
Abraham’s sons: Isaac and Ishmael. These are their family records: Nebaioth, Ishmael’s firstborn, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were Ishmael’s sons. The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan’s sons: Sheba and Dedan. Midian’s sons: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All of these were Keturah’s sons. Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac’s sons: Esau and Israel. Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. Eliphaz’s sons: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek. Reuel’s sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. (1 Chronicles 1:28-37 HCSB)
Who were the descendants of Abraham’s grandson Esau?
Seir’s descendants were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. Lotan’s descendants were Hori and Homam. Lotan’s sister was Timna. Shobal’s descendants were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. Zibeon’s descendants were Aiah and Anah. Anah’s descendant was Dishon. Dishon’s descendants were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. Ezer’s descendants were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. Dishan’s descendants were Uz and Aran. (1 Chronicles 1:38-42 ISV)
Who were the early kings over Abraham’s grandson Esau’s land, also called Edom?
Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city was Dinhabah. And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. And when Jobab was dead, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead. And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith. And when Hadad was dead, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead. And when Samlah was dead, Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead. And when Shaul was dead, Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead. And when Baalhanan was dead, Hadad reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pai; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. Hadad died also. (1 Chronicles 1:43-53 KJV)
And who were the dukes or tribal chiefs in the lands of Edom?
Now the chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth, chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom. (1 Chronicles 1:43-54 LSB)
Does the longest genealogy in the Bible (1 Chronicles 1-9) teach us that humanity really is one large family? Do these family trees lend credibility to the historical accuracy of scripture? Did the male roles evident in these genealogies hurt or strengthen families? You decide!
