Definition: And Caleb the son of Hezron begat [children] of Azubah [his] wife, and of Jerioth: her sons [are] these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 2:18. It's a fascinating and somewhat surprising story in the Bible! Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a birth that happened between two people – Caleb and Hezron – who were both farmers or laborers working for God’s people. The result of this union was a family with five children: Jesher, Shobab, Ardon, Jerioth, and Azubah. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And Caleb the son of Hezron begat” : This tells us that Caleb was the father of a child named Hezron. Hezron was a worker for God’s people. “…his wife” : This refers to the wife of Hezron. “and of Jerioth: her sons…” : This is where it gets interesting. “Jerioth” is a place in ancient Israel – it's a region near Jerusalem. The verse says that her sons were the children of Jerioth. "... Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon." : This names the five children: Jesher (meaning "who stands upright"), Shobab (meaning "the one who is strong"), Ardon (meaning “the one who is right”), Jerioth’s sons, and Hezron's children. What does this story tell us? This is a very unusual birth! In the Old Testament, God was primarily concerned with who led the people – the leaders, the judges, the kings. This verse suggests that God wanted to include a child who had a connection to the land of Jerioth and its people. It's a reminder that God’s plan can be more complex than we might initially think! Important Note: This story is a bit of a mystery. The exact details are debated among scholars, but it highlights a potential element of divine providence – God’s hand in creating families and bringing people together in unexpected ways. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this story? Explore why this story is significant?