1 Chronicles 1:22

And Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,

1 Chronicles 1:22 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the list of Shem’s descendants in 1 Chronicles 1:17-23. The chronicler wrote after the exile to help the returning people remember their identity. These names connect the Israelites to the line that runs from Adam through Noah to Abraham. The genealogies were compiled to reassure the remnant that God had not forgotten His promises.

Meaning

Ebal, Abimael, and Sheba are sons of Joktan, a descendant of Shem. Little is known about Ebal or Abimael. The name Abimael means “My father is God,” showing the family’s recognition of divine relationship. Sheba also appears in another line through Abraham (Genesis 25:3), so the name is not unique to this family. Each name reflects the patriarchal culture’s awareness of God’s care.

Biblical connections

The chronicler records these names to show God’s care through many generations. The same list appears in Genesis 10:26-29, confirming the accuracy of the record. Later, the queen of Sheba visits Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-13), but she is a different person from the Sheba named here. The genealogy leads to David and, in the New Testament, to the Messiah (Matthew 1:1-17). God preserved this line so that through it all nations would be blessed.

Application

God remembers every person, even those mentioned only once in Scripture. Each name in this list mattered to Him, and each believer matters to Him today. The record also assures us that God keeps His promises across centuries. He preserved this family line through difficult times, and He preserves His people now. Every believer is part of a larger spiritual family with a rich heritage.

Reflection

These verses may seem unimportant, but they show that God’s plan includes ordinary people. The chronicler wrote to reassure the returning exiles that God had not forgotten them. We can trust that our lives, too, are part of a larger story that ends in Christ. Even brief names in Scripture point to the faithfulness of God, who values each person and works through generations to bring salvation.