In this chapter, we see themes of breakthrough despite obstacles, healing after sorrow, and Yah's power to restore what has been lost. He sees His people, hears their cries, and brings them from sorrow to joy. Even when they are surrounded, He raises them up, fights for them, and leads them into a new dawn.
Let’s explore the message hidden within these names.
1 Chronicles 4:1-4 - The Descendants of Judah
Names and Their Meanings
- Perez – Breakthrough or Breach
- Hezron – Enclosure or Surrounded
- Carmi – My Vineyard or My Garden
- Hur – Noble or Free
- Shobal – Flowing or Pathway
- Reaiah – Yah Has Seen
- Jahath – He Will Be Taken
- Ahumai – Brother of Water or My Kinsman Lives
- Lahad – Burning or Flaming
A Message of Redemption Through Name Meanings
"A breakthrough (Perez) will come even when surrounded (Hezron). Yah has seen (Reaiah) His people and provides a pathway (Shobal). Though some may be taken (Jahath) and walk through burning trials (Lahad), life (Ahumai) will spring forth."
1 Chronicles 4:5-10 - The Story of Jabez
Names and Their Meanings
- Ashhur – Blackness or Step Forward
- Helah – Weakness or Frailty
- Naarah – Young Girl or Youthful
- Koz – Thorn or Fortress
- Anub – Wailing or Mourning
- Zobebah – Elevated or Lifted Up
- Jabez – Sorrow or Pain
Connected Message Through Name Meanings
"Though surrounded by darkness (Ashhur) and frailty (Helah), strength will arise (Naarah). Even when life feels like a thorn (Koz), mourning (Anub) will turn into being lifted up (Zobebah). Though there is sorrow (Jabez), Yah will hear and deliver."
1 Chronicles 4:11-15 - Warriors and Leaders
Names and Their Meanings
- Chelub – Embraced or Dog-like Loyalty
- Shuhah – Humility or Brought Low
- Mehir – Reward or Wages
- Eshton – Effort or Work
- Beth-Rapha – House of Healing
- Ir-Nahash – City of the Serpent
- Caleb – Whole-Hearted or Faithful
Connected Message Through Name Meanings
"Those who are embraced (Chelub) will be lifted up even from humility (Shuhah), receiving a reward (Mehir). Their efforts (Eshton) will lead to a house of healing (Beth-Rapha), and even a city of serpents (Ir-Nahash) will not overcome them. The whole-hearted (Caleb) will be faithful and victorious."
1 Chronicles 4:16-23 - Family Builders
Names and Their Meanings
- Jehallelel – Yah Is to Be Praised
- Ezrah – Help or Aid
- Gedor – Wall or Enclosure
- Penuel – Face of Elohim
- Ezer – Help or Aid
- Jokim – Yah Will Raise
- Cozeba – Deceived or Lying Place
Connected Message Through Name Meanings
"Yah is to be praised (Jehallelel), for He is our help (Ezrah). Though we may feel enclosed (Gedor), we will see the face of Elohim (Penuel). Yah will raise (Jokim) His people and remove deception (Cozeba)."
1 Chronicles 4:24-43 - The Descendants of Simeon
Names and Their Meanings
- Simeon – He Has Heard
- Nemuel – Elohim Is Compassionate
- Jamin – Right Hand or South
- Jarib – He Contends or Pleads
- Zerah – Rising or Dawn
- Shaul – Desired or Asked For
- Shallum – Restored or Repaid
- Mibsam – Sweet Aroma
- Mishma – Hearing or Obedience
Connected Message Through Name Meanings
"He has heard (Simeon), for Elohim is compassionate (Nemuel). He will extend His right hand (Jamin) and contend (Jarib) for His people. A new dawn (Zerah) will rise, and those who are desired (Shaul) will be restored (Shallum). Their lives will be a sweet aroma (Mibsam), and they will hear and obey (Mishma)."
Complete Summary of the Connected Message for 1 Chronicles 4
A breakthrough (Perez) will come, even when surrounded (Hezron). Yah has seen (Reaiah) and will deliver His people, creating a pathway that flows (Shobal). Though some may be taken captive (Jahath) or face burning trials (Lahad), life (Ahumai) will spring forth, for Yah does not forget His people.
Even in times of darkness (Ashhur) and frailty (Helah), Yah will bring strength (Naarah). Though life may feel like a thorn (Koz), and there is wailing and mourning (Anub), He will lift up (Zobebah) those who call upon Him. Even through sorrow (Jabez), Yah hears, restores, and blesses abundantly.
Those who are embraced and faithful (Chelub) will be lifted up from humility (Shuhah) and receive their reward (Mehir). Their efforts (Eshton) will lead them to a house of healing (Beth-Rapha), and even in the city of serpents (Ir-Nahash), they will not be overcome. The whole-hearted (Caleb) will walk in faith and victory.
Yah is to be praised (Jehallelel), for He is our help (Ezrah). Even when we feel enclosed by walls (Gedor), we will see the face of Elohim (Penuel). Yah is raising up His people (Jokim), and deception will be removed (Cozeba), so that they may dwell in truth and security.
Yah has heard (Simeon) the cries of His people, for He is compassionate (Nemuel). He will extend His right hand (Jamin) and contend for them (Jarib). A new dawn (Zerah) will rise, and those who have been desired (Shaul) will be restored and repaid (Shallum). Their lives will become a sweet aroma (Mibsam), and they will walk in obedience (Mishma), living in harmony with Yah’s will.
Though His people may wander and struggle, Yah remains their defender, their redeemer, and their dwelling place. Those who trust in Him will see restoration, find healing, and walk in the blessing of His presence.
From sorrow to joy, from captivity to freedom, from brokenness to restoration—Yah is faithful to His people.
Final Reflection
The names recorded in 1 Chronicles 4 reveal a prophetic message of Yah’s unwavering faithfulness, the struggles His people endure, and the breakthrough that comes through trust in Him. This chapter reminds us that:
- Yah sees and hears His people—He is compassionate and does not forget those who cry out to Him.
- Breakthrough comes even in trials—Even when surrounded, enclosed, or struggling, Yah makes a way for deliverance.
- Mourning is turned into joy—Sorrow and hardship are not the end of the story; Yah restores and repays what has been lost.
- Yah is our strength and healer—Even in times of deception, captivity, or hardship, Yah provides a pathway of restoration.
May we walk faithfully in His promises, trusting that He will bring breakthrough, restoration, and blessing to all who call upon Him.