1 Chronicles 1:43-54

What does Edom’s sequence of rulers contribute to the opening history?

Berean Standard Bible

43 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: Bela son of Beor. His city was named Dinhabah. 44 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place. 45 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 46 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith. 47 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place. 48 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place. 49 When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place. 50 When Baal-hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab. 51 Then Hadad died. Now the chiefs of Edom were Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 52 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 53 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 54 Magdiel, and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.

What is the context?

The chapter names kings who ruled Edom before Israel had a king. Each reign ends with death and the accession of another ruler, with places and some family relationships supplied.

The account then names Edom’s chiefs. It preserves a political history alongside the family relationships already listed, showing that the genealogy’s horizon includes neighboring communities and their rulers.

The chapter does not give reign lengths or enough information to assign exact modern dates to the whole sequence. It closes the Edomite branch before chapter 2 returns to Israel’s sons.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley draws attention to the succession of people who had their time in the world and then died. The fuller parallel in Genesis 36:31–43 confirms the remembered sequence. This reflection on human mortality does not require claiming the list establishes one particular date or author for all of Chronicles.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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