Abraham was the father of Isaac.Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, known as the patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, and Midianites. His story is primarily found in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with him, promising that he would be the father of many nations (
Genesis 17:4-5). Isaac, his son, is the child of promise, born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham (
Genesis 21:1-3). This lineage is significant as it establishes the line through which the nation of Israel would come, and ultimately, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "seed of Abraham" (
Galatians 3:16).
The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
Isaac's sons, Esau and Jacob (later named Israel), are pivotal figures in biblical history. Esau, the elder, is the ancestor of the Edomites, while Jacob, renamed Israel after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28), becomes the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. The relationship between Esau and Jacob is marked by conflict, beginning with Jacob's acquisition of Esau's birthright and blessing (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-40). This sibling rivalry is emblematic of the later tensions between their descendants, the Israelites and Edomites. Jacob's renaming to Israel signifies his role as the progenitor of the nation of Israel, through whom God's covenant promises to Abraham are further realized. This lineage is crucial in the biblical narrative, as it sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the nation of Israel and ultimately through Jesus Christ, who is born from the tribe of Judah, one of Jacob's sons (Matthew 1:2-3).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AbrahamKnown as the father of faith, Abraham is a central figure in the Bible. God made a covenant with him, promising that he would be the father of many nations.
2.
IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a patriarch in the lineage of the Israelites. His birth was a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.
3.
EsauThe elder son of Isaac, Esau is known for selling his birthright to his brother Jacob (Israel) for a meal. He is the ancestor of the Edomites.
4.
Israel (Jacob)The younger son of Isaac, Jacob was later named Israel by God. He is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
5.
The Covenant LineageThis verse highlights the continuation of God's covenant through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing the chosen lineage through which God's promises are fulfilled.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Lineage in God's PlanGod's promises often unfold through specific family lines, demonstrating His sovereignty and faithfulness across generations.
The Role of Faith and ObedienceAbraham's faith and obedience set a precedent for his descendants. Believers today are called to trust and obey God, even when His plans are not fully visible.
The Consequences of ChoicesEsau's decision to sell his birthright serves as a warning about the long-term consequences of short-sighted decisions. We must value spiritual inheritance over temporary satisfaction.
God's Sovereign ElectionThe choice of Jacob over Esau illustrates God's sovereign will. Believers are reminded that God's purposes are beyond human understanding and are rooted in His divine wisdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 1:34?
2.How does 1 Chronicles 1:34 connect to God's covenant with Abraham's descendants?
3.What significance do Isaac's sons have in the lineage of God's chosen people?
4.How can understanding Esau's lineage help us comprehend Israel's historical context?
5.How does this genealogy encourage us to trust God's promises in our lives?
6.What lessons from Isaac's family can we apply to our faith journey today?
7.How does 1 Chronicles 1:34 fit into the genealogy of the Israelites?
8.What is the significance of Esau and Israel being mentioned together in 1 Chronicles 1:34?
9.How does 1 Chronicles 1:34 reflect God's covenant with Abraham's descendants?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 1?
11.How does 1 Chronicles 2:3-4 align with Genesis 38 regarding Judah and Tamar's lineage, and does it create inconsistencies?
12.Why does 1 Chronicles 17:3-4 reverse Nathan's initial approval (17:2) for David to build the temple, and does this indicate an inconsistency?
13.(2 Chronicles 34:1) How plausible is it that an eight-year-old could rule a nation and initiate extensive reforms?
14.What are the genealogies and reigns of Israel's leaders?What Does 1 Chronicles 1:34 Mean
Abraham was the father of Isaac“Abraham was the father of Isaac.”
• This brief line in1 Chronicles 1:34 reaffirms the heart of the covenant story first detailed inGenesis 12:1-3 and fulfilled inGenesis 21:1-3. God literally gave Abraham a son in his old age, proving that “nothing is too difficult for the LORD” (Genesis 18:14).
• The Chronicler’s genealogy places Abraham in direct line to Israel’s monarchy, reminding readers that every promise—land, nation, blessing (Genesis 15:5-7; 22:16-18)—flows through this father-son link.
• New-Testament writers echo the same certainty:Romans 4:18-22 points to Abraham’s faith, andHebrews 11:11-12 stresses the literal fulfillment of God’s word in Isaac’s birth. The record is not mere symbolism; it is reliable history anchoring God’s unfolding plan.
The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel“The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.”
• Isaac’s twin sons stand as two distinct nations in seed form (Genesis 25:23). Esau fathers Edom (Genesis 36:1), while Israel (Jacob) fathers the twelve tribes (Genesis 35:10-12). The Chronicler notes both to highlight God’s faithfulness to His word and His sovereign election.
• Although Esau receives temporal blessings (Genesis 27:39-40), the birthright and covenant line pass to Israel by God’s choice (Genesis 28:13-15).Malachi 1:2-3 andRomans 9:10-13 later recall this reality, underscoring that divine purpose, not human merit, directs redemptive history.
• Listing Esau first reflects chronological order, yet the narrative quickly shifts to Israel throughout Scripture, reminding readers where God’s redemptive focus ultimately rests (Genesis 32:28;Exodus 3:15).
summary1 Chronicles 1:34 anchors us in literal genealogy: God gave Abraham a promised son, Isaac, and from Isaac came Esau and Israel. These straightforward facts testify that every covenant promise advances through real people in real time. The line of faith moves from Abraham to Isaac to Israel, setting the stage for the nation, the Scriptures, and ultimately the Messiah, in perfect fulfillment of God’s trustworthy word.
(34)
Abraham begat Isaac.--From
Genesis 25:19.
Esau and Israel.--Esau is named first, not as the elder, but because the tribes of Esau are to be first enumerated. (Comp. Note above on1Chronicles 1:28-42.)
Israel.--The more honourable appellation (Genesis 32:28) almost wholly supplanted Jacob as the name of the chosen people, except in poetry and prophecy. Some moderns have seen in such double names as Jacob-Israel, Esau-Edom, a trace of an ancient fusion or amalgamation of distinct races.
Verses 34-37 lead us on to the descendants of Isaac, the more important branch of Abraham's family. It breaks again at once into two,
Esau, the less important, treated of first; and
Israel, reserved till we enter on ch. 2. Of
Esau, the names of five sons are given; and of seven grandsons by the first in order, and four grandsons by the second in order of these sons. In
Genesis 36:1-5 we have the names of the five sons of Esau, which correspond in the Authorized Version and in the Hebrew text exactly with those of this list. We have there in addition the names of their mothers respectively, who were "daughters of Canaan," Adah of the Hittites, mother of the first; Bashamath of the Ishmaelites, mother of the second (and by these two lines came the seven and four grandsons); and Aholibamah of the Hivites, mother of the remaining three sons. The names correspond also in the Septuagint in the two places, with the minute differences of Eliphaz and Ieoul here, for
Eliphas and
Ieous there. Then follow the names of seven grandsons of Esau though his son
Eliphaz, of whom the first five are found and in agreement (
Genesis 36:11), with the exception of
Zephi here for Zepho there, both in the Authorized Version and in the Hebrew text. But the sixth name here, Timna, is explained in Genesis as the name of a concubine of Eliphaz, by whom he had the son
Amalek, who appears here as the seventh son. There can be no doubt that we come here upon a transcriber's error, and it would be easily amended if we read "and by Timna, Amalek,"
vice "and Timna and Amalek." If this be the correct account of the matter, the grandsons of Esau of course count one fewer here. These two names also tally in the Authorized Version and in the Hebrew text in the two places; while for all seven names the agreement in the Septuagint is exact, except that we read Gootham here for Gothom there. There remain, in ver. 37, four grandsons to Esau, by Reuel. Their names agree with Genesis in the Authorized Version, in the Hebrew text, and in the Septuagint, except that this last reads
Naches here for Nachoth there.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֖ם(’aḇ·rā·hām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85:Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nationwas the father ofוַיּ֥וֹלֶד(way·yō·w·leḏ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineageIsaac.יִצְחָ֑ק(yiṣ·ḥāq)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327:Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and SarahThe sonsבְּנֵ֣י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonof Isaac:יִצְחָ֔ק(yiṣ·ḥāq)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327:Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and SarahEsauעֵשָׂ֖ו(‘ê·śāw)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215:Esau -- oldest son of Isaacand Israel.וְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃(wə·yiś·rā·’êl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc
Links
1 Chronicles 1:34 NIV1 Chronicles 1:34 NLT1 Chronicles 1:34 ESV1 Chronicles 1:34 NASB1 Chronicles 1:34 KJV
1 Chronicles 1:34 BibleApps.com1 Chronicles 1:34 Biblia Paralela1 Chronicles 1:34 Chinese Bible1 Chronicles 1:34 French Bible1 Chronicles 1:34 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Chronicles 1:34 Abraham became the father of Isaac (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr) 
