1. What we can
learn from the
Chronicles
genealogies
Laindon Bible Study
14th December 2011
2. What we plan to cover this evening
• Some background to Chronicles
• An outline of the genealogies (ch. 1-9)
• The national importance of genealogies
• Seven aspects that illustrate that we can learn
from the Chronicles genealogies
• New Testament teaching on genealogies
• Conclusions of our study
3. The timing of the book
• Probably written by the scribe Ezra c.450-435 BC
2 Chronicles 36 v 22 – 23 Ezra 1 v 1-3
22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that 1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that
the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah
Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of
up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation
proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in
also in writing, saying, writing, saying,
23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of
of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the
me; and he hath charged me to build him an house earth; and he hath charged me to build him an
in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Who is there among you of all his people? The 3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God
LORD his God be with him, and let him go up. be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which
is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of
Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
Key: [differences red / reordered green]
4. The names of the book
• Hebrew Bible Dibre hayyamim
Meaning: Acts of the days / Register of days
• Septuagint (LXX) Old Testament Paraleipomena
Meaning: Things omitted, left out / Supplements
(additional 20 whole chapters, 24 part chapters)
• Latin Vulgate / English Versions Chronicon
Meaning: Chronicles
5. An outline of the Chronicles
• Grouped under 4 main heads:
1 Chronicles 1-9
Genealogies
1 Chronicles 10-29
David
2 Chronicles 1-9
Solomon
2 Chronicles 10-36
Kings Judah
6. the generations of Adam to Abraham (1:1-28)
An outline of the genealogies of Abraham and Esau (1:28-54)
of Jacob and his son Judah (2)
of king David (3)
of Judah in another line (4:1-23)
of Simeon (4:24-43)
of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, with historical and topographical notices (5)
two lists of the sons of Levi (6:1-30)
genealogical registers of Heman and Asaph (6:31-43)
of Merari (6:44-50)
of Aaron, with a list of the residences of the Levitical families (6:50-81)
list of the sons of Issachar (7:1-5)
of Benjamin and Naphtali (7:6-13)
of Manasseh (7:14-19)
of Ephraim, with notices of their possessions (7:20-29)
of Asher (7:30-40)
a second list of the descendants of Benjamin, with the genealogy of Saul (8)
list of families dwelling at Jerusalem, with intimations of the tribes to which they (9)
belonged
After McClintock and Strong (Encyclopaedia)
7. FIRST CHRONICLES: A Teaching Outline
Part One: The Royal Line of David (1:1—9:44)
Another outline of them I. The Family of Adam 1:1-27
A. From Adam to Noah 1:1-4
B. From Noah to Abraham 1:5-27
II. The Family of Israel 1:28-54
A. From Abraham to Isaac 1:28-34
B. From Isaac to Israel 1:35-54
III. The Family of Israel 2
A. The Sons of Israel 2:1-2
B. The Sons of Judah 2:3-55
IV. The Family of David 3
A. The Sons of David 3:1-9
B. The Sons of Solomon 3:10-24
V. The Descendants of the Twelve Tribes 4:1—8:40
A. The Family of Judah 4:1-23
B. The Family of Simeon 4:24-43
C. The Family of Reuben 5:1-10
D. The Family of Gad 5:11-22
E. The Family of Manasseh 5:23-26
F. The Family of Levi 6
G.The Family of Issachar 7:1-5
H.The Family of Benjamin 7:6-12
I. The Family of Naphtali 7:13
J. The Family of Manasseh 7:14-19
K. The Family of Ephraim 7:20-29
L. The Family of Asher 7:30-40
M.The Family of King Saul 8
VI. The Descendants of the Remnant 9:1-34
A. The Family of the Twelve Tribes Who Returned 9:1-9
B. The Family of the Priests Who Returned 9:10-13
C. The Family of the Levites Who Returned 9:14-34
VII. The Family of Saul 9:35-44
From Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary
8. The significance of genealogies
• ‘An important part of the public records of the
Hebrew state’
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
– Distribution of land
– Family inheritance
– Office of priests
– General temple service
• This public record more critical than
ever with the return from captivity...
9. The Hebrew words yachas 3187 / 3188
OT:3187 cj^y* yachas (yaw-khas'); a primitive root; to sprout; used only as
denominative from OT:3188; to enroll by pedigree:
KJV - (number after, number throughout the) genealogy (to be reckoned), be
reckoned by genealogies.
OT:3188 cj^y^ yachas (yakh'-as); from OT:3187; a pedigree or family list (as
growing spontaneously):
KJV - genealogy.
• Combined 21 appearances in Old Testament
• Only appear in Chronicles, Ezra & Nehemiah
• 10 appearances in 1 Chronicles 1-9*
* Books that were written after the exile
10. 1. The scriptural ‘ring of truth’
• Why would this record have been fabricated?
11. 2. The importance of Israel
• Israel at the centre of the purpose of God
12. 3. Connections with Israel
• The importance of other nations conditioned
by their relationship with God’s people/elect
• Example in Chronicles genealogy is
Edom, which had been active (for evil) in the
time of Judah’s captivity (see Obadiah v 10-14)
13. 4. The significance of order
• Prominence given to certain individuals/tribes
16. 7. Mentioned by name
• God’s purpose centres on individuals (for good
or for bad), through whom God’s plan fulfilled
17. New Testament teaching
• The unalterable rites of birth removed
• We are not constrained by flesh and blood ties
(see Galatians 3 v 26-29)
18. Conclusions of our study
• Whatsoever things were written aforetime were
written for our learning... (Romans 15 v 4)
1. The scriptural ‘ring of truth’
2. The importance of Israel
3. Connections with Israel Just a few
4. The significance of order angles, probably
5. Family connections are many more...
6. Patterns and shapes
7. Mentioned by name
