1 Chronicles 4:34 — Word Study
WLCוּמְשׁוֹבָ֣ב וְיַמְלֵ֔ךְ וְיוֹשָׁ֖ה בֶּן־ אֲמַצְיָֽה׃
BSAMeshobabMᵉshôwbâb△ [restored or backsliding] JamlechYamlêk△ [a king or ruler] JoshahYôwshâh△ [Jehovah makes equal] sonbên [a descendant or offspring] of AmaziahʼĂmatsyâh [Jehovah is mighty]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּמְשׁוֹבָ֣ב | and Meshobab | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| וְיַמְלֵ֔ךְ | and Jamlech | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| וְיוֹשָׁ֖ה | and Joshah | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| בֶּן־ | [the] son of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אֲמַצְיָֽה׃ | Amaziah | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah, |
| KJV | And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah, |
| ASV | And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah, |
| YLT | even Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah son of Amaziah, |
| WEB | Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah, |
| BBE | And Meshobab and Jamlech and Joshah, the son of Amaziah, |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of the names — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a single main clause listing the names, emphasizing the genealogical connection.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
3 of 5 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.
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 4:34
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 Genealogy of Simeongenerated
1 Chronicles 4:34 is part of a genealogical record that highlights the lineage of the tribe of Simeon. This verse specifically mentions Meshobab, Jamlech, and Joshah, linking them to their ancestor Amaziah. Such records were important for maintaining the history and identity of the tribes in Israel, especially during the time of the Divided Monarchy.
Cross References
The Key Word — מְשׁוֹבָב, u.me.sho.Vavgenerated
The name מְשׁוֹבָב (*Meshobab*) is a proper masculine noun derived from the root meaning 'to return' or 'to restore.' It signifies a person who may embody the idea of restoration or backsliding, reflecting a complex identity within the tribe of Simeon.
Meshobab is mentioned in the context of genealogies, indicating his importance in tracing the lineage of the Simeonites. The name's meaning suggests themes of redemption or returning, which could resonate with the historical experiences of the Israelites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse follows a simple listing format, beginning with the conjunctions that connect the names: וּמְשׁוֹבָב, וְיַמְלֵךְ, and וְיוֹשָׁה. Each name is presented as a noun phrase, followed by the phrase בֶּן־ indicating 'son of,' which connects them to their father, Amaziah.
This straightforward construction emphasizes the lineage and the relationships between the individuals mentioned, typical of genealogical records in the Hebrew Bible.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מְשׁוֹבָב as μοσωβαβ, which retains the personal name while possibly broadening its connotation. This choice reflects the translators' intent to preserve the identity of the individual while adapting it for a Greek-speaking audience.
The translation of יַמְלֵךְ as ιεμολοξ suggests a similar royal connotation, indicating that the translators recognized the significance of these names in their original context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 4:34 lists three men: Meshobab, Jamlech, and Joshah, who are descendants of Amaziah. These names are important for understanding the genealogy of the tribe of Simeon during the time of the Divided Monarchy.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Meshobab means 'restored' or 'backsliding,' suggesting a complex identity within the tribe.
Jamlech was a chief of the tribe of Simeon, and his name means 'He will reign.'
Joshah means 'Jehovah makes equal,' reflecting a sense of fairness and equality.
Genealogies help trace lineage, establish identity, and maintain the historical record of the tribes of Israel.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can I learn from the lives of these individuals mentioned in the genealogy?
- How do genealogies help us understand our own family histories?
- In what ways can I see God's faithfulness in my own lineage?
- Why is it important to remember and honor our ancestors?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 4:34 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleVer. 34-37. And Meshobab, and Jamlech,.... These, with those that follow to the end of 1 Chronicles 4:37 were famous men in the tribe of Simeon, of rank and dignity, and eminent for courage and
Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 4 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThese and the rest here following are particularly mentioned for their valiant and successful achievements, related , &c.
Read Matthew Poole on 1 Chronicles 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersIII.— OF THE : THEIR (1 Chronicles 4:34-43). (34-37) The thirteen princes (emirs) of Simeon who headed the expedition of their tribe in the age of Hezekiah (fl. 710 B.C.). None of them are otherwise known.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges34–43. The Heroes of Simeon and their Exploits 38. the house of their fathers] R.V. their fathers’ houses.
Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 4 →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
Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,
Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah the son of Amaziah,
Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,
Their clan leaders were: Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,
Tyndale line
And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah,
And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah,
And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah;
And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah,
And Meshobab, and Iamlech, and Ioshah the sonne of Amashiah,
Strictly literal
And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah,
even Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah son of Amaziah,
even Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah son of Amaziah,
And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amazyah,
Clan leaders were Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah,
From the Latin
And Mosabab and Jemlech, and Josa, the son of Amasias,
Simplified
Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah (son of Amaziah),
And Meshobab and Jamlech and Joshah, the son of Amaziah,
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 agree on the names listed in this verse. Both texts present the same individuals, maintaining the integrity of the genealogical record without significant variations.
וּמְשׁוֹבָ֣ב וְיַמְלֵ֔ךְ וְיוֹשָׁ֖ה בֶּן־ אֲמַצְיָֽה׃
5 of the 5 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 4:34
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.
מְשׁוֹבָב (*Mshowbab*) refers to a personal name meaning 'returned' or 'restored.' It is associated with an Israelite from the tribe of Simeon, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:34. The name is derived from the root word for 'return' (H7725), and the lexicons indicate that it may imply a sense of backsliding.
מְשׁוֹבָב n.pr.m. in Simeon 1 Ch 4:34
ref
H4877 מְשׁוֹבָב
4877 Mshowbab mesh-o-bawb'
from 7725; returned; Meshobab, an Israelite:--Meshobab.
see HEBREW for 07725
מְשׁוֹבָב (me.sho.vav) — Meshobab.
A man of the tribe of Simeon(?) living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.34
§ Meshobab = "restored" or "backsliding"
a descendant of Simeon
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
me-sho'-bab (meshobhabh): A Simeonite (1Ch 4:34). This name heads the list of those who, for the sake of wider pasturelands, occupied a Hamitic settlement in the neighborhood of Gerar (Mount GEDOR (which see)), and a Maonite settlement in Edomite territory (1Ch 4:39-41). The latter event is dated in the days of Hezekiah (see Curtis, Chronicles, in the place cited.).
→ A Simeonite 1Ch 4:34
The Hebrew word יַמְלֵךְ (*yamlek*) means 'he will make king' and is associated with the name Jamlech, a man from the tribe of Simeon. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:34, where he is identified as a chief of the tribe. The entries indicate that the name reflects a royal connotation.
יַמְלֵךְ n.pr.m. a Simeonite;—1 Ch 4:34.
ref
H3230 יַמְלֵךְ
3230 Yamlek yam-lake'
from 4427; he will make king; Jamlek, an Israelite:--Jamlech.
see HEBREW for 04427
יַמְלֵךְ (yam.lekh) — Jamlech.
A man of the tribe of Simeon(?) living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.34
§ Jamlech = "He will reign"
a chief of the tribe of Simeon
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
jam'-lek (yamlekh, "may he (God) cause to reign"): A "prince" or chief of the tribe of Simeon (1Ch 4:34). If 4:41 refers to the preceding list, he lived in the time of Hezekiah.
(whom God makes king), one of the chief men of the tribe of Simeon. (1 Chronicles 4:34)
reigning; asking counsel
→ Descendant of Simeon 1Ch 4:34
יוֹשָׁה (Yowshah) refers to a male name, specifically Joshah, who is identified as a man from the tribe of Simeon mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:34. The name is thought to mean 'Jehovah makes equal' and is linked to the Hebrew root for 'to be equal' or 'to be right.'
יוֹשָׁה n.pr.m. a Simeonite 1 Ch 4:34
ref
H3144 יוֹשָׁה
3144 Yowshah yo-shaw'
probably a form of 3145; Joshah, an Israelite:--Joshah.
see HEBREW for 03145
יוֹשָׁה (yo.shah) — Joshah.
A man of the tribe of Simeon(?) living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.34;
son of: Amaziah (H0558H)
§ Joshah = "Jehovah makes equal"
a prince of the house of Simeon
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
jo'-sha (yoshah, "Yahweh's gift"): A descendant of Simeon, chief in his family (1Ch 4:34,38).
(whom Jehovah lets dwell), a prince of the house of Simeon. (1 Chronicles 4:34,38-41)
being; forgetting; owing
→ A descendant of Simeon 1Ch 4:34
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word אֲמַצְיָ֫הוּ (*Amatsyah*) means 'Jehovah is mighty' and refers to several individuals, primarily a king of Judah who was the son of Joash and father of Azariah. The entries note that he is mentioned in contexts related to the Divided Monarchy, including roles as a priest and a Levite singer. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings or references.
אֲמַצְיָ֫הוּ, אֲמַצְיָה n.pr.m. (י׳ has been mighty).
king of Jud., son of Joash, father of Azariah
a Sineonite
id., a Levite
priest of Bethel, under Jerob. II
base
H558 אֲמַצְיָ֫הוּ, אֲמַצְיָה
558 'Amatsyah am-ats-yaw'
or mAmatsyahuw {am-ats-yaw'-hoo}; from 553 and 3050; strength
of Jah; Amatsjah, the name of four Israelites:--Amaziah.
see HEBREW for 0553
see HEBREW for 03050
אֲמַצְיָ֫הוּ (a.mats.yah) — Amaziah.
A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.12.21;
son of: Joash (H3101I) and Jehoaddan (H3086); married to Jecoliah (H3203);
father of: Uzziah (H5818)
§ Amaziah = "Jehovah is mighty"
1) a king of Judah, son Joash, father of Azariah
2) a priest of Bethel under Jeroboam II
3) father of Joshah, of the tribe of Simeon
4) a Levite tabernacle singer in David's day
אֲמַצְיָ֫הוּ (a.mats.yah) — Amaziah.
A man of the tribe of Simeon(?) living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.34;
father of: Joshah (H3144)
§ Amaziah = "Jehovah is mighty"
1) a king of Judah, son Joash, father of Azariah
2) a priest of Bethel under Jeroboam II
3) father of Joshah, of the tribe of Simeon
4) a Levite tabernacle singer in David's day
אֲמַצְיָ֫הוּ (a.mats.yah) — Amaziah.
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
am-a-zi'-a ('amatsyah, 'amatsyahu, "Yahweh is mighty"; 2Ki 14:1-20; 2Ch 25). Son of Jehoash, and tenth king of Judah. Amaziah had a peaceable accession at the age of 25. A depleted treasury, a despoiled palace and temple, and a discouraged people were among the consequences of his father's war with Hazael, king of Syria. When settled on the throne, Amaziah brought to justice the men who had assassinated his father. Amaziah verbal citation of De 24:16 in 2Ki 14:6, forbidding the punishment of children for a father's offense, shows that the laws of this book were then known, and were recognized as authoritative, and, in theory, as governing the nation. His accession may be dated circa 812 (some put later).
1. The Edomite War:
Amaziah
Strengthened by Jehovah. (1.) A Levite, son of Hilkiah, of the descendants of Ethan the Merarite (1 Chr. 6:45).
(2.) The son and successor of Joash, and eighth king of the separate kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 14:1-4). He began his reign by punishing the murderers of his father (5-7; 2 Chr. 25:3-5). He was the first to employ a mercenary army of 100,000 Israelite soldiers, which he did in his attempt to bring the Edomites again under the yoke of Judah (2 Chr. 25:5, 6). He was commanded by a prophet of the Lord to send back the mercenaries, which he did (2 Chr. 25:7-10, 13), much to their annoyance. His obedience to…
(the strength of the Lord). Son of Joash, and eighth king of Judah, reigned B.C. 837-809. He succeeded to the throne at the age of 25, on the murder of his father, and punished the murderers. In order to restore his kingdom to the greatness of Jehoshaphat’s days, he made war on the Edomites, defeated them in the Valley of Salt, south of the Dead Sea, and took their capital, Selah or Petra, to which he gave the name of Jokteel, i.e. "God-subdued." Flushed with his success, he challenged Joash king of Israel to battle, but was completely defeated, and himself was taken prisoner and conveyed by Joash to Jerusalem, which opened its gates to the conqueror. Amaziah lived 15 years after the death of Joash; and in the 29th year of his reign was murdered by conspirators at Lachish, whither he had retired from Jerusalem for safety. (2 Chronicles…
1. Eighth king of Judah, son of Joash, began to reign B. C. 835, and reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. He did well in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart. Having established himself in his throne and slain the murderers of his father, he mustered a host of 300,000 men of Judah, and hired 100,000 men of Israel, for a war upon Edom. These hired forces he reluctantly dismissed at the command of God, who gave him the victory without their aid. But this did not prevent him from carrying home with him the idols of Edom, and setting them up to be his gods. For this defiance of Jehovah, he was threatened with destruction by a prophet of the Lord; and soon after, went headlong into war with Israel, in which he was defeated and humbled. Fifteen years after, he was slain by conspirators, after flying to Lachish to escape them,