What Does 1 Chronicles 4:15 Mean in the King James?

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

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

The Hebrew word for “sons” is linked to “building,” so this genealogy pictures a family line taking shape through named lives.

THE MEANING

Belonging takes shape through specific relationships: Kenaz is named within Elah’s branch of Caleb’s line. You see continuity built through particular lives, with each name occupying a place in the whole.

THE ROOT

בְּנֵי

bənê

GROWS FROM

בנה

to build; to build up

The Hebrew word for “sons” is traditionally linked with ⁨בנה⁩ (bānāh), “to build.” The family line can be heard as something built through named generations, with Kenaz placed specifically within Elah’s branch.

ALSO GROWS

bānāh: To build or establish.

בָּנָה

This is the root linked with the word for “sons,” giving the genealogy a sense of a family taking shape.

ʾevneh: A form of ⁨בנה⁩, used in Genesis 16:2.

אָבְנֶה

Where the KJV reads “obtain children,” the Hebrew phrase uses this build-language, making the family connection explicit.

נַעַם

Naʿam

GROWS FROM

נעם

to be pleasant; to delight

Naam’s name carries the sense of pleasantness or delight. The same root appears in words translated “beauty” and “pleasant,” so this name holds a quality within the family list.

ALSO GROWS

noʿam: Pleasantness or delight; rendered “beauty” in Psalm 27:4.

נֹעַם

The name Naam shares this root, linking it with the delight described in that verse.

naʿim: Pleasant or agreeable; used in Psalm 133:1.

נָעִים

This form makes the root’s quality explicit: the name Naam carries the sense of what is pleasing.

THE PATTERN

A lineage becomes visible through names that place each person in relation to the generations around them.

And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

Genesis 5:3 · KJVSeth is named within a line of descent, connecting a particular identity to the generation before him.

And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ruth 4:17 · KJVObed’s name is placed within a chain of relations that continues through Jesse to David.

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

Matthew 1:2 · KJVEach generation is named through its connection to the one before it, making the lineage legible person by person.

THE THREAD

And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

Genesis 16:2 · KJV

Genesis 16:2 uses ⁨אָבְנֶה⁩ (ʾevneh, “I may be built up”), a form of ⁨בנה⁩ (bānāh, “build”), where the KJV reads “obtain children.” The same root is traditionally linked with “sons” here, revealing descent as a family built across generations.

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