The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
The verse lists Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi as the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. That naming stands within the long genealogical lists in the opening chapters of Chronicles. After the exile such genealogical records were needed to establish hereditary claims to land ownership and to duties in temple service.
The genealogical lists are part of the inspired Bible even when their value or interest is not immediately apparent. They preserve information about the origin and distribution of races and may reward careful study. Though the genealogies may look uninviting, they show that God is particular, and the keeping of such records teaches that a faithful record of each soul is kept in heaven.
The verse lists Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi as the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. That naming stands within the long genealogical lists in the opening chapters of Chronicles. After the exile such genealogical records were needed to establish hereditary claims to land ownership and to duties in temple service.
The genealogical lists are part of the inspired Bible even when their value or interest is not immediately apparent. They preserve information about the origin and distribution of races and may reward careful study. Though the genealogies may look uninviting, they show that God is particular, and the keeping of such records teaches that a faithful record of each soul is kept in heaven.