1 Chronicles 4:15

And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz.

1 Chronicles 4:15 (KJV)

Context

Chronicles is an Old Testament book that preserves the genealogy and history of the Israelite tribes. Its extensive records trace each family line with careful detail, establishing tribal identity and inheritance within the nation.

This verse lists the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh—Iru, Elah, and Naam—and records that Elah’s son was Kenaz. The concise enumeration exemplifies the chronicler’s method of naming each descendant to maintain a clear family record.

Meaning

This Caleb is distinct from Caleb the son of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:18), who is also called Chelubai. The names Iru, Elah, and Naam appear nowhere else in Scripture. Kenaz here is Caleb’s grandson, distinct from other men named Kenaz, including Caleb’s brother (Joshua 15:17) and a descendant of Esau (Genesis 36:11).

The primary significance of this verse is its connection to the faithful Caleb, a member of the tribe of Judah who, along with Joshua, was one of the two spies who gave a positive report and encouraged Israel to take the Promised Land (Numbers 13-14). Because of his faithfulness, he was one of the few of his generation permitted to enter Canaan.

Biblical connections

Earlier in the chronicle, 1 Chronicles 2:18-20 records Caleb the son of Hezron as having sons Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon, showing the broader family line. The name Kenaz also appears in Genesis 36:11, where he is a son of Eliphaz, who was a son of Esau, linking the name to the broader ancestral narrative beyond Judah.

Application

This genealogy demonstrates that God remembered and preserved the line of a faithful servant, showing that individual faithfulness is honored within the broader history of God’s people. The verse underscores the importance of genealogical records in establishing tribal identity and inheritance within Israel.