1 Chronicles – Chapter 1

Old Testament54 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Adam, Seth, Enos," — so begins 1 Chronicles 1. The chapter centers on Abraham, Gomer and Isaac. Across its 54 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Adam, Seth, Enos,

2Cainan, Malaleel, Jared,

3Henoc, Mathusale, Lamech,

4Noe, Sem, Cham, and Japheth.

5The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, Thubal, Mosoch, Thiras.

6And the sons of Gomer: Ascenez, and Riphath, and Thogorma.

7And the sons of Javan: Elisa and Tharsis, Cethim and Dodanim.

8The sons of Cham: Chus, and Mesrai, and Phut, and Chanaan.

9And the sons of Chus: Saba, and Hevila, Sabatha, and Regma, and Sabathaca. And the sons of Regma: Saba, and Dadan.

10Now Chus begot Nemrod: he began to be mighty upon earth.

11But Mesraim begot Ludim, and Anamim, and Laabim, and Nephtuim,

12Phetrusim also, and Casluim: from whom came the Philistines, and Caphtorim.

13And Chanaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and the Hethite,

14And the Jebusite, and the Amorrhite, and the Gergesite,

15And the Hevite, and the Aracite, and the Sinite,

16And the Aradian, and the Samarite, and the Hamathite.

17The sons of Sem: Elam and Asur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Hus, and Hul, and Gether, and Mosoch.

18And Arphaxad begot Sale, and Sale begot Heber.

19And to Heber were born two sons, the name of the one was Phaleg, because in his days the earth was divided; and the name of his brother was Jectan.

20And Jectan begot Elmodad, and Saleph, and Asarmoth, and Jare,

21And Adoram, and Usal, and Decla,

22And Hebal, and Abimael, and Saba,

23And Ophir, and Hevila, and Jobab. All these are the sons of Jectan.

24Sem, Arphaxad, Sale,

25Heber, Phaleg, Ragau,

26Serug, Nachor, Thare,

27Abram, this is Abraham.

28And the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Ismahel.

29And these are the generations of them. The firstborn of Ismahel, Nabajoth, then Cedar, and Adbeel, and Mabsam,

30And Masma, and Duma, Massa, Hadad, and Thema,

31Jetur, Naphis, Cedma: these are the sons of Ismahel.

32And the sons of Cetura, Abraham's concubine, whom she bore: Zamran, Jecsan, Madan, Madian, Jesboc, and Sue. And the sons of Jecsan, Saba, and Dadan. And the sons of Dadan: Assurim, and Latussim, and Laomin.

33And the sons of Madian: Epha, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaa. All these are the sons of Cetura.

34And Abraham begot Isaac: and his sons were Esau and Israel.

35The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Rahuel, Jehus, Ihelom, and Core.

36The sons of Eliphaz: Theman, Omar, Sephi, Gathan, Cenez, and by Thamna, Amalec.

37The sons of Rahuel: Nahath, Zara, Samma, Meza.

38The sons of Seir: Lotan, Sobal, Sebeon, Ana, Dison, Eser, Disan.

39The sons of Lotan: Hori, Homam. And the sister of Lotan was Thamna.

40The sons of Sobal: Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Sephi, and Onam. The sons of Sebeon: Aia, and Ana. The son of Ana: Dison.

41The sons of Dison: Hamram, and Eseban, and Jethran, and Charan.

42The sons of Eser: Balaan, and Zavan, and Jacan. The sons of Disan: Hus and Aran.

43Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there was a king over the children of Israel: Bale the son of Beor: and the name of his city was Denaba.

44And Bale died, and Jobab the son of Zare of Bosra, reigned in his stead.

45And when Jobab also was dead, Husam of the land of the Themanites reigned in his stead.

46And Husam also died, and Adad the son of Badad reigned in his stead, and he defeated the Madianites in the land of Moab: the name of his city was Avith.

47And when Adad also was dead, Semla of Masreca reigned in his stead.

48Semla also died, and Saul of Rohoboth, which is near the river, reigned in his stead.

49And when Saul was dead, Balanan the son of Achobor reigned in his stead.

50He also died, and Adad reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Phau, and his wife was called Meetabel the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezaab.

51And after the death of Adad, there began to be dukes in Edom instead of kings: duke Thamna, duke Alva, duke Jetheth,

52Duke Oolibama, duke Ela, duke Phinon,

53Duke Cenez, duke Theman, duke Mabsar,

54Duke Magdiel, duke Hiram. These are the dukes of Edom.

Important Verses in 1 Chronicles 1

Adam, Seth, Enos,

1 Chronicles 1:1

The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, Thubal, Mosoch, Thiras.

1 Chronicles 1:5

The sons of Cham: Chus, and Mesrai, and Phut, and Chanaan.

1 Chronicles 1:8

Duke Magdiel, duke Hiram. These are the dukes of Edom.

1 Chronicles 1:54

Historical Context

1 Chronicles addresses the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity around Temple worship within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 1 of 29 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 54 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Abraham, Gomer, Isaac and Esau, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "Adam, Seth, Enos," The final verse reads: "Duke Magdiel, duke Hiram. These are the dukes of Edom. " Read against its original backdrop, Writing for the restored community after the exile, the Chronicler retells Israel's story with emphasis on David, the Temple, and worship. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

The list of names is not mere record-keeping: it anchors the story of David's legacy and Temple preparation in real families and real history. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Adam, Seth, Enos," The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2215). Here, the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Abraham5 mentionsGomer2 mentionsIsaac2 mentionsEsau2 mentionsSaul2 mentionsAdam1 mention

Reflection for Today

In 1 Chronicles Chapter 1, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of David's legacy and Temple preparation.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). 1 Chronicles Chapter 1 supports that call by drawing attention to humility before the mystery of God within the wider message that Worship is central to God's people.

As you continue through 1 Chronicles, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Chronicles Chapter 1 about?

1 Chronicles 1 contains 54 verses. It opens with "Adam, Seth, Enos," and closes with "Duke Magdiel, duke Hiram. These are the dukes of Edom. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative and genealogy.

What is a key verse in 1 Chronicles 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Adam, Seth, Enos," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Chronicles Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions Abraham, Gomer, Isaac, Esau, Saul, among others.

Who wrote 1 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars. After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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