1 Chronicles 4:1

The sonnes of Iudah: Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal. 1 Chronicles 4:1 (KJV)

The verse opens the genealogical record of the tribe of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, from whom the tribe that would produce King David and the Messiah descends. 1 Chronicles serves as a historical account that preserves the family lines of Israel, and this opening verse lists five descendants associated with Judah: Pharez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.

Pharez, also spelled Perez, was the firstborn son of Judah and Tamar. His birth is recorded in Genesis 38, where Tamar gave birth to twins, Perez and Zarah. The line of Perez became the most prominent within the tribe, leading ultimately to the Davidic dynasty and to Jesus Christ. Hezron was the son of Perez, making him Judah’s grandson. His descendants are noted in later genealogies and appear in the New Testament genealogical records. Carmi is named among the descendants, though the biblical narrative provides little additional information about his life or role.

Hur is mentioned in several biblical passages, most notably during the battle with the Amalekites when he and Aaron supported Moses by holding up his hands (Exodus 17:10‑12). While his precise lineage within Judah is not clearly established, his inclusion here links him to the broader family of the tribe. Shobal, like Carmi, is listed without further detail in the Scriptures, yet his presence underscores the completeness of the genealogical record.

The significance of this brief list lies in its illustration of the importance the Israelites placed on preserving family heritage. By recording even those members about whom little is known, the chronicler affirms the continuity of the tribe of Judah and foreshadows the messianic line that would emerge from Perez. The passage reminds readers that every name contributes to the tapestry of Israel’s history and that the preservation of genealogies was vital for identity, inheritance, and divine promise.