📖WEB · 1 Chronicles 4:28
What does 1 Chronicles 4:28 mean?
"They lived at Beersheba, Moladah, Hazarshual,"
— 1 Chronicles 4:28 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, and Mishma his son.
The sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son.
Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers didn’t have many children, and all their family did not multiply like the children of Judah.
They lived at Beersheba, Moladah, Hazarshual,
at Bilhah, at Ezem, at Tolad,
at Bethuel, at Hormah, at Ziklag,
at Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, at Beth Biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities until David’s reign.
Explanation
This verse comes from a long genealogical section in 1 Chronicles 4, specifically part of a list detailing the towns inhabited by the descendants of Simeon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In plain language, the verse simply states that the clan of Simeon settled in three specific towns: Beersheba, Moladah, and Hazarshual. It is the beginning of a longer list (continuing through verse 33) that names numerous villages and settlements associated with this tribe.
The book of Chronicles was compiled after the Babylonian exile, likely by a scribe or group of scribes (traditionally associated with Ezra), for the Jewish community that had returned to the land. Its purpose was to help the returning exiles understand their identity, reconnect with their tribal heritage, and see continuity between the pre-exilic nation and their present community. Genealogies like this one served a very practical function: they established family
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.