What Does 1 Chronicles 8:18 Mean in the King James?
Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;
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 father’s name means “God has acted,” so this genealogy carries an act inside what English sees as a label.
THE MEANING
Names do not arrive empty here: Ishmerai, Jezliah, and Jobab are named as Elpaal’s sons, and Elpaal carries the sense “God has acted.” The line lets descent and a confession of action sit together, so a family record carries meaning as well as relation.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A name is only a label and a genealogy only a roll of names; Elpaal’s name carries “God has acted” inside this family line.
THE ROOT
אֶלְפָּעַל
ʾElpaʿal
GROWS FROM
פעל
To do, act, or work.
In English, Elpaal can pass as an opaque label, but its components preserve a short confession: El (אֵל, ʾEl) means “God,” and paʿal (פָּעַל, paʿal) means “act” or “work.” This root also forms words for a worker and for work itself, so a personal name can carry an act in its own structure.
ALSO GROWS
poʿel: One who acts; a worker.
פֹּעֵל
This form names an agent of action, showing that the root inside Elpaal concerns doing, not an arbitrary sound.
peʿullah: Work, deed, or recompense.
פְּעֻלָּה
Isaiah 40:10 uses this noun for “his work,” connecting the action in Elpaal’s name to a deed.
THE PATTERN
Scripture lets a name carry a truth about a person’s nature or calling.
And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.THE THREAD
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Isaiah’s “work” is פְּעֻלָּה (peʿullah, work or deed), built from the same root פעל (paʿal, do or act) held in Elpaal’s name. English leaves Elpaal opaque while translating its root-built cousin as “work.”
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