1 Chronicles 2:40 — Word Study
WLCוְאֶלְעָשָׂה֙ הֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ סִֽסְמָ֔י וְסִסְמַ֖י הֹלִ֥יד אֶת־ שַׁלּֽוּם׃
BSA◂ElasahʼElʻâsâh [God has made, created by the Lord] was the father ofyâlad■ [to beget, bring into being] ◂SismaiÇiçmay [water crane, or swallow] ◂SismaiÇiçmay [descendant of Sheshan] was the father ofyâlad■ [to give birth, produce] ShallumShallûwm [peace, completeness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְאֶלְעָשָׂה֙ | and Eleasah | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| הֹלִ֣יד | he fathered | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| סִֽסְמָ֔י | Sismai | Noun proper masculine |
| וְסִסְמַ֖י | and Sismai | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| הֹלִ֥יד | he fathered | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| שַׁלּֽוּם׃ | Shallum | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Elasah was the father of Sismai, Sismai was the father of Shallum, |
| KJV | And Eleasah begat Sisamai, and Sisamai begat Shallum, |
| ASV | and Eleasah begat Sismai, and Sismai begat Shallum, |
| YLT | and Eleasah begat Sismai, and Sismai begat Shallum, |
| WEB | and Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum, |
| BBE | And Eleasah was the father of Sismai, and Sismai was the father of Shallum, |
Where they part company is in the rendering of הֹלִ֣יד — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses connected by the conjunction, each detailing a lineage relationship.
3 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֶלְעָשָׂה
verbיָלַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 2:40
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Lineage of Judahgenerated
1 Chronicles 2:40 is part of a genealogical account that emphasizes the lineage of the tribe of Judah. This verse specifically highlights the familial connections between Eleasah, Sismai, and Shallum, illustrating the continuity of heritage within the Israelite community. Such genealogies serve to establish identity and legitimacy, especially in the context of Israel's history and God's promises to His people.
Cross References
The Key Word — אֶלְעָשָׂה, ve.'el.'a.Sahgenerated
The name אֶלְעָשָׂה (Eleasah) means "God has made" and identifies several individuals in the Old Testament. It indicates a divine origin or purpose, linking the bearer to God's creation and plan.
In this verse, Eleasah is presented as a significant ancestor, establishing a connection to future generations. The parsing as a proper masculine noun signifies his role as a foundational figure in the genealogy.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses was the father consistently for both Eleasah and Sismai, aligning with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb הֹלִ֣יד governs the whole verse, linking the subjects Eleasah and Sismai to their respective offspring. The structure is straightforward, presenting a clear lineage without complex subordination.
The sentence flows from one subject to the next, maintaining a clear and direct lineage, which is typical of genealogical records in Hebrew scripture.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֶלְעָשָׂה as ελεασα, which maintains the name's identity but does not carry the meaning of 'God has made.' This choice shows a focus on the individual rather than the divine aspect of the name.
The Greek word ἐγέννησεν is used for הֹלִ֣יד, which also means 'he fathered,' aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning and emphasizing the act of begetting.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 2:40 tells us that Elasah was the father of Sismai, and Sismai was the father of Shallum. This verse is part of a genealogy that traces the lineage of the tribe of Judah, showing the connections between these individuals.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Elasah means 'God has made' and signifies a divine creation or purpose.
Sismai was a descendant of Sheshan and the son of Elasah, noted in the genealogies of Judah.
Genealogies establish identity and legitimacy, connecting individuals to God's promises and the history of Israel.
Names like Shallum often carry meanings related to peace or completeness, reflecting the values and hopes of the community.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do genealogies help us understand the history of God's people?
- What significance do names carry in your own family or culture?
- How can reflecting on our ancestry deepen our understanding of identity?
- What does it mean to you that God has a purpose for each individual, as seen in names like Elasah?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 2:40 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleVer. 40 [See comments on 1 Chronicles 2:35].
Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Attai begat Nathan, and Nathan begat Zabad, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 2 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9-41) The Hezronites, who were sons of Pharez (1 Chronicles 2:5), and their three lines of descent, Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 2 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Elasah was the father of Sismai, Sismai was the father of Shallum,
and Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum,
Elasah was the father of Sismai, Sismai was the father of Shallum,
Eleasah was the father of Sismai, and Sismai was the father of Shallum.
Tyndale line
And Eleasah begat Sisamai, and Sisamai begat Shallum,
and Eleasah begat Sismai, and Sismai begat Shallum,
and Eleasah begat Sismai, and Sismai begat Shallum;
And Eleasah begat Sisamai, and Sisamai begat Shallum,
And Eleasah begate Sisamai, and Sisamai begate Shallum,
Strictly literal
and Elasah begot Sismai, and Sismai begot Shallum,
and Eleasah begat Sismai, and Sismai begat Shallum,
and Eleasah begot Sismai, and Sismai begot Shallum,
And El'assah begat Sissmai, and Sissmai begat Shallum.
Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum.
From the Latin
Elasa beget Sisamoi, Sisamoi beget Sellum,
Simplified
Eleasah was the father of Sismai, Sismai was the father of Shallum,
And Eleasah was the father of Sismai, and Sismai was the father of Shallum,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show some agreement in the lineage presented, though the Septuagint's word order differs. The essential names and relationships remain consistent, affirming the genealogical line.
וְאֶלְעָשָׂה֙ הֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ סִֽסְמָ֔י וְסִסְמַ֖י הֹלִ֥יד אֶת־ שַׁלּֽוּם׃
4 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 2:40
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֶלְעָשָׂה (El`asah) means "God has made" and refers to several individuals in the Old Testament, including descendants of Judah and Benjamin. Key figures include a priest from Pashur's line and Shaphan's son, mentioned in contexts like 1 Chronicles and Ezra. The name appears in various forms, such as Elasah or Eleasah, but all refer back to the same root meaning.
אֶלְעָשָׂה n.pr.m. (God has made)
descendant of Judah
a Benjamite
of the line of Pashur
son of Shaphan
base
H501 אֶלְעָשָׂה
501 'El`asah el-aw-saw'
from 410 and 6213; God has made; Elasah, the name of four
Israelites:--Elasah, Eleasah.
see HEBREW for 0410
see HEBREW for 06213
אֶלְעָשָׂה (el.a.sah) — Eleasah.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.39;
son of: Helez (H2503H);
father of: Sismai (H5581)
§ Elasah or Eleasah = "God has made"
1) a descendant of Judah, son of Helez
2) a priest of Pashur's line with a foreign wife during Ezra's time
3) Shaphan's son, Zedekiah's servant
4) a descendant of Benjamin, son of Rapha, father of Azel
אֶלְעָשָׂה (el.a.sah) — Eleasah.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.8.37;
son of: Binea (H1150);
brother of: Raphah (H7498) and Azel (H0682A);
father of: Ulam (H0198H), Jeush (H3266I) and Eliphelet (H0467J); also called Eshek at 1Ch.8.39;
Also named: e.sheq (עֵ֫שֶׁק "Eshek" H6232)
§ Elasah or Eleasah = "God has made"
1) a descendant of Judah, son of Helez
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
(whom God made). Son of Helez, one of the descendants of Judah, of the family of Hezron. (1 Chronicles 2:39) (B.C. after 1046.) Son of Rapha or Rephaiah; a descendant of Saul through Jonathan and Merib-baal or Mephibosheth. (1 Chronicles 8;37; 9:43) (B.C. before 588.)
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singularHVhp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
סִסְמַי (sismai) refers to a man from the tribe of Judah, noted in the context of the Divided Monarchy. He is identified as the son of Eleasah and the father of Shallum, and is a descendant of Sheshan in the line of Jerahmeel. The name may mean "water crane" or "swallow."
סִסְמַי n.pr.m. name in Judah
base
H5581 סִסְמַי
5581 Cicmay sis-mah'-ee
of uncertain derivation; Sismai, an Israelite:--Sisamai.
סִסְמַי (sis.may) — Sismai.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.40;
son of: Eleasah (H0501);
father of: Shallum (H7967I)
§ Sisamai = "water crane" or "swallow"
a descendant of Sheshan in the line of Jerahmeel
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
sis'-mi (tsitsmay; the King James Version Sisamai): A Judahite, of the descendants of the daughter of Sheshan and Jarha, his Egyptian servant (1Ch 2:40). Commentators have compared the name to tstsm, a Phoenician god (compare Rudolph Kittel, Commentary at the place; BDB, under the word).
סִסְמַי (sismai) refers to a man from the tribe of Judah, noted in the context of the Divided Monarchy. He is identified as the son of Eleasah and the father of Shallum, and is a descendant of Sheshan in the line of Jerahmeel. The name may mean "water crane" or "swallow."
סִסְמַי n.pr.m. name in Judah
base
H5581 סִסְמַי
5581 Cicmay sis-mah'-ee
of uncertain derivation; Sismai, an Israelite:--Sisamai.
סִסְמַי (sis.may) — Sismai.
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.40;
son of: Eleasah (H0501);
father of: Shallum (H7967I)
§ Sisamai = "water crane" or "swallow"
a descendant of Sheshan in the line of Jerahmeel
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
sis'-mi (tsitsmay; the King James Version Sisamai): A Judahite, of the descendants of the daughter of Sheshan and Jarha, his Egyptian servant (1Ch 2:40). Commentators have compared the name to tstsm, a Phoenician god (compare Rudolph Kittel, Commentary at the place; BDB, under the word).
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person masculine singularHVhp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
שַׁלּוּם (Shalluwm) refers to a name associated with several figures in the Old Testament, including a king of Israel and a son of Josiah, king of Judah. The name is linked to various roles, such as a husband, uncle, and members of priestly and Levitical families. It is noted that Shallum means 'retribution' and is mentioned in contexts involving political intrigue and temple service.
שַׁלּוּם (less oft. שַׁלֻּם)
n.pr.m.king of N. Israel
son of Josiah, and king of Judah
husband of Huldah
uncle of Jeremiah
in Simeon
in Jerahmeel
in Ephr.
in Napht.
father of threshhold-keeper
wall-builder
priests
Levites
v
base
H7967 שַׁלּוּם (less oft. שַׁלֻּם) . king of N. Israel
. son of Josiah, and king of Judah
. husband of Huldah
. uncle of Jeremiah
. in Simeon
. in Jerahmeel
. in Ephr.
. in Napht.
. father of threshhold-keeper
. wall-builder
. priests
. Levites
. v
7967 Shalluwm shal-loom'
or (shorter) Shallum {shal-loom'}; the same as 7966; Shallum,
the name of fourteen Israelites:--Shallum.
see HEBREW for 07966
שַׁלּוּם (shal.lum) — Shallum.
A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.15.10;
son of: Jabesh (H3003H)
§ Shallum = "retribution"
1) son of Jabesh, conspirator and slayer of king Zachariah of the northern kingdom of Israel ending the dynasty of Jehu; assumed the throne and became the 15th king of the northern kingdom; reigned for one month and was killed by Menahem
2) the 3rd son of king Josiah of Judah and subsequent king of Judah; reigned for 3 months before he was taken captive to Egypt where he was placed in chains and later died
2a) also 'Jehoahaz'
3) husband of Huldah the prophetess in the reign of king Josiah of Judah. Maybe the same as 4
4) uncle of Jeremiah the prophet. Maybe the same as 3
5) a Simeonite, son of Shaul and grandson of Simeon
6) a Judaite, son of Sisamai and father of Jekamiah in the family of Jerahmeel
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Shallum
Retribution. (1.) The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He “conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead” (2 Kings 15:10). He reigned only “a month of days in Samaria” (15:13, marg.). Menahem rose up against Shallum and put him to death (2 Kings 15:14, 15, 17), and became king in his stead.
(2.) Keeper of the temple vestments in the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:14).
(3.) One of the posterity of Judah (1 Chr. 2:40, 41).
(4.) A descendant of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:25).
(retribution). The fifteenth king of Israel, son of Jabesh, conspired against Zachariah, killed him, and brought the dynasty of Jehu to a close, B.C. 770. Shallum, after reigning in Samaria for a month only, was in his turn dethroned and killed by Menahem. (2 Kings 15:10-14) The husband of Huldah the prophetess, (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:23) in the reign of Josiah. (B.C. 830.) A descendant of Shesham. (1 Chronicles 2:40,41) The third son of Josiah king of Judah, known in the books of Kings and Chronicles as Jehoahaz. (1 Chronicles 3:15; Jeremiah 22:11)…
1. Son of Jabesh, or a native of Jebesh, who treacherously killed Zechariah King of Israel and usurped his kingdom, B. C. 772. He held it only one month, when Menahem son of Gadi killed him in Samaria. Scripture says that Shallun was the executioner of the threatenings of the Lord against the house of Jehu, 2Ki 15:10-15.
2. See JEHOAHAZ 2.
3. The husband of Huldah the prophetess in the time of Josiah, 2Ki 22:14.
perfect; agreeable