What Does 1 Chronicles 1:5 Mean in the King James?

The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

1 Chronicles 1:5 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Japheth’s name carries a widening that this genealogy gives form: one line opens into seven.

THE MEANING

This verse meets you with distinct names gathered into a family line. Each listed name remains connected by descent from Japheth.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The names of peoples are not isolated beginnings; this line locates them in a shared descent.

THE ROOT

יֶפֶת

Yepheth

GROWS FROM

פתה

p-t-h

Open wide; in the wordplay with Japheth, enlarge.

Genesis 9:27 pairs Japheth’s name with a verb meaning “may he enlarge,” linking the name to widening. Here, that widening takes visible form as one line branches into seven named descendants.

ALSO GROWS

yapht: May he enlarge or open wide

יַפְתְּ

This verb in Genesis 9:27 echoes Japheth’s name and gives the name its widening sense.

pātâ: To open wide, entice, or persuade

פָּתָה

The root’s range holds both openness and the power to draw someone outward, deepening the widening echoed in Japheth’s name.

THE PATTERN

Human plurality appears as distinct peoples branching within a shared human story.

By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

Genesis 10:5 · KJVThe names and descendants become lands, tongues, families, and nations: many branches within one genealogy.

When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:8 · KJVThe verse describes distinct nations and boundaries within the shared descent of Adam’s sons.

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Acts 17:26 · KJVMany nations share one beginning, while each has its appointed place and time.

THE THREAD

God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

Genesis 9:27 · KJV

Genesis pairs Japheth’s name with a form meaning “may he enlarge,” making expansion echo inside the name. The seven descendants here give that echo a shape: one line opening into many names.

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