📖WEB · 1 Chronicles 9:44
What does 1 Chronicles 9:44 mean?
"Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel."
— 1 Chronicles 9:44 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz.
Ahaz became the father of Jarah. Jarah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri became the father of Moza.
Moza became the father of Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.
Explanation
This verse is part of a long genealogical record and, taken by itself, simply lists the six sons of a man named Azel: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. There is no narrative here, no action, no dialogue — just names recorded for the sake of family record-keeping. This exact list also appears earlier in 1 Chronicles 8:38, which tells us that the Chronicler is intentionally repeating this genealogy as he transitions from the broader tribal lists of chapters 1–8 into the specific record of who returned to Jerusalem after the exile (the subject of chapter 9).
The context is important for understanding why this seemingly minor detail matters. First Chronicles was likely written after the Babylonian exile, compiled from older records, to help the returning Jewish community understand its identity, its tribal lines, and especially its connection to the line of King Saul and, more importantly, to the line of David. Azel belongs to the genealogy of Saul's
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