And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baal-meon:
The verse traces Bela as son of Azaz, grandson of Shema and great-grandson of Joel, and locates his dwelling in Aroer reaching even to Nebo and Baal-meon. It belongs to the genealogical records and long lists of names found in the first eight chapters of 1 Chronicles. Those genealogical records preserved hereditary descent that was needed after the exile for assigning land and for maintaining temple service.
The verse is fully inspired Scripture even though it stands among passages that many cannot understand or see the value of for family worship or private devotion. It is not equally interesting and valuable to all persons and under all circumstances, but is given for people of all tastes and capacities. It is one of the deep things placed in the Bible to interest scholars, recording the origin and distribution of races for those who would study ethnology. Pearls of spiritual truth are scattered along the way in such passages, so that many seeking only human knowledge find that which is divine. Its place among the genealogical records illustrates that God preserves a faithful record of each soul.
The verse traces Bela as son of Azaz, grandson of Shema and great-grandson of Joel, and locates his dwelling in Aroer reaching even to Nebo and Baal-meon. It belongs to the genealogical records and long lists of names found in the first eight chapters of 1 Chronicles. Those genealogical records preserved hereditary descent that was needed after the exile for assigning land and for maintaining temple service.
The verse is fully inspired Scripture even though it stands among passages that many cannot understand or see the value of for family worship or private devotion. It is not equally interesting and valuable to all persons and under all circumstances, but is given for people of all tastes and capacities. It is one of the deep things placed in the Bible to interest scholars, recording the origin and distribution of races for those who would study ethnology. Pearls of spiritual truth are scattered along the way in such passages, so that many seeking only human knowledge find that which is divine. Its place among the genealogical records illustrates that God preserves a faithful record of each soul.