1 Chronicles 3:20

And Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushab–hesed, five.

1 Chronicles 3:20 (KJV)

Context

The book of 1 Chronicles records the genealogies of Israel, with special attention to the royal line of King David. Chapter 3 traces David’s descendants from his own sons through later generations. This verse names five sons of Zerubbabel, the governor who led the Jews back from exile in Babylon. The list continues the family record begun in the previous verse, where Zerubbabel’s other children are named.

Meaning

The five names are Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed. Scripture gives no further account of these men, and their individual deeds are unknown. These names appear nowhere else in the Bible, yet their inclusion shows God’s care for every person in His plan. Their presence in the record, however, shows that God preserved the family line of David through the difficult years after the exile. Each name stands as evidence that the royal lineage continued without interruption.

Biblical connections

God had promised David that his throne would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:16). This genealogy demonstrates that promise in action, as the line survived the fall of Jerusalem and the return to the land. The record also points forward to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, who came through this same family line (Matthew 1:1-17). Thus, even a list of otherwise unknown names carries the hope of the coming King. The genealogies in 1 Chronicles emphasize God’s faithfulness in preserving the line through whom the Messiah would come.

Application

These verses remind us that God values every person, even those whose names appear only in a list. No life is too small or too ordinary to matter in His plan. The careful recording of these names also encourages us to honor our spiritual heritage and the faithfulness of those who came before us.

• God’s promises are reliable, even when His work is not immediately visible.

• Our identity in Christ connects us to a long history of God’s saving purposes.

• We can trust that God is working through ordinary people to accomplish His will.

Reflection

When we read lists of names, we may be tempted to skip over them. Yet these names remind us that God sees and remembers each individual. He who preserved the line of David will also keep every promise He has made to us. We can rest in His faithful care, knowing that our lives, too, are written in His book.