📖WEB · 1 Chronicles 1:50
What does 1 Chronicles 1:50 mean?
"Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab."
— 1 Chronicles 1:50 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.
Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
Then Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
Explanation
This verse comes from a long genealogical list in 1 Chronicles 1, where the Chronicler is tracing the descendants of Esau, specifically the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before Israel had kings of its own. In plain language, the verse simply reports a transition of royal power: a king named Baal Hanan died, and a man named Hadad took his place as king. It also notes a few identifying details—the name of Hadad's capital city, Pai (also called Pau elsewhere), and the name of his wife, Mehetabel, along with her father Matred and grandfather Mezahab. This is essentially a brief royal record, similar to a king list you might find in ancient Near Eastern archives.
The context is important for understanding why such a verse exists at all. First Chronicles was likely written after the Babylonian exile, compiled by a priestly or Levitical author (traditionally called "the Chronicler") for the Jewish community returning to the land. The purpose of these early genealogical chapters (1 Chronicles 1–9) was to reestablish Israel's identity, connecting the post-exilic community back to the patriarchs, the tribes, and the broader nations descended from Adam through Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Esau. By including the kings of Edom (Esau's line), the Chronicler
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