1Ch 1 | MHM | STEP | Genealogies This section lists the family line from Adam to Abraham. Adam was the first man, the father of all people. Abraham became the father of all who believe. There are about 2,000 years between Adam and Abraham, and Adam lived for almost half of that time. Because Adam broke God’s first covenant, all people became sinners and suffered. But through the covenant God made with Abraham, people can become blessed and happy. We are all born as descendants of Adam, but by faith, we can become part of Abraham’s family ( Romans 4:11-12 ). v. 1–4, 24–27 : The first four verses and the last four verses of this genealogy show the family line from Adam to Abraham. Shem connects these two parts ( 1 Chronicles 1:4, 24 ). This is the same line that leads to Jesus Christ, as shown in Luke 3:34-38 (Luke 3:34-38 ). This proves that Jesus’ family line can be traced all the way back to Adam. The Jewish people were special because they could trace their family history to the first man God created. Other nations made up stories about their beginnings, but the Bible gives a true account.

‏ 1 Chronicles 1

Genealogies

This section lists the family line from Adam to Abraham. Adam was the first man, the father of all people. Abraham became the father of all who believe. There are about 2,000 years between Adam and Abraham, and Adam lived for almost half of that time. Because Adam broke God’s first covenant, all people became sinners and suffered. But through the covenant God made with Abraham, people can become blessed and happy. We are all born as descendants of Adam, but by faith, we can become part of Abraham’s family (Romans 4:11-12 ^a).

v. 1–4, 24–27: The first four verses and the last four verses of this genealogy show the family line from Adam to Abraham. Shem connects these two parts (1 Chronicles 1:4, 24 ^b). This is the same line that leads to Jesus Christ, as shown in Luke 3:34-38 ^c (Luke 3:34-38 ^d). This proves that Jesus’ family line can be traced all the way back to Adam. The Jewish people were special because they could trace their family history to the first man God created. Other nations made up stories about their beginnings, but the Bible gives a true account.

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v. 5–7: These verses list the sons of Japheth. They settled in the western parts of the world, such as Europe. The Jews did not have much contact with these people, so the list is short.

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v. 8–16: Next are the sons of Ham. They moved south, toward Africa and parts of Asia. Nimrod, a son of Cush, became a powerful leader and may have oppressed God’s people. Mizraim’s descendants became the Egyptians, and Canaan’s descendants became the Canaanites. The Israelites had to fight the Egyptians to leave Egypt and the Canaanites to enter the Promised Land. God valued Israel so much that He gave Egypt for their ransom (Isaiah 43:3 ^e) and removed other nations for their sake (Psalm 78:8 ^f).

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v. 17–23: These verses list the descendants of Shem. They lived in Asia and spread eastward. Many important nations, like the Assyrians, Syrians, Chaldeans, Persians, and Arabians, came from Shem’s family. At first, people knew which nation they came from, but over time, nations mixed together. Still, all people come from one man, Adam, and one family after the flood, Noah. As the Bible says, Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? (Malachi 2:10 ^g).

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v. 28–34: The genealogy quickly moves to Abraham’s family. The promise of the Messiah was passed from Adam to Seth, then to Shem, then to Eber, and finally to Abraham and his descendants. The Jewish people were trusted with this promise until Jesus came. After that, their special role as a nation ended, as the Bible says, they became not a people (Hosea 1:9 ^h). This section focuses on the family lines that come from Abraham. At this point, the genealogies leave out all nations except Abraham’s descendants. God’s people are special to Him—He knows them by name. While people from other nations can still please God if they fear Him and do what is right (Acts 10:35 ⁱ), the Bible now pays attention to Israel, the chosen nation. Only the descendants of Jacob, who later became the people of Israel, are followed closely. The other children of Abraham are mentioned, but they did not share in the same promise or blessing as Israel.

v. 28–31: The Ishmaelites, who were Abraham’s descendants by Hagar, are mentioned here. They were not part of the main promise, since they were the children of the slave woman. This matches the story of how those who do not believe are cast out, just as the Bible says in Galatians 4:22–23 ^j (Galatians 4:22–23 ^k). Still, Ishmael’s twelve sons are listed to show that God kept His promise to Abraham by making Ishmael the father of twelve princes (Genesis 17:20 ^l).

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v. 32–33: The Midianites and other sons of Abraham by Keturah are listed next. They were called the “children of the east.” For example, Job may have been one of them. God separated these sons from Isaac, the child of promise (Genesis 25:6 ^m). The sons of Jokshan and the sons of Midian are named because Midian became the most important, and the families may have been named after him.

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v. 34–54: The Edomites, descendants of Esau, are also listed. They were often enemies of Israel, but because they came from Isaac, their families and important leaders are named. There are some small differences in the names here compared to Genesis 36 (Genesis 36:1–43 ⁿ). This could be because language and pronunciation changed over time, just as it does today.

As we read these genealogies, we should remember how many people have lived before us. Many were famous and powerful, but now they are gone, as every man draws after him, and innumerable before him (Job 21:33 ^o). Death comes to everyone, and no one can return. Still, God shows patience and keeps the human race alive on earth, even though He could end it easily. As one generation passes, another comes (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Numbers 32:14 ^p). God still sees a blessing in the world and chooses not to destroy it.