1 Chronicles 4:14

“And Meonothai, etc.] Another son of Othniel: begat Ophrah; and Seraiah, the brother of Othniel, begat Joab; not David’s general, but another of the same name, who lived long before him, (see <130254>1 Chronicles 2:54) the father of the valley of Charashim: of the inhabitants of the valley, or the prince of them, called the valley of craftsmen, (<161135>Nehemiah 11:35) the reason of which is here given: for they were craftsmen; that dwelt in it, carpenters and smiths, both which the word signifies, men that wrought in stone, wood, and iron.”

“Joab, the father of the valley of Carashim--literally, "the father of the inhabitants of the valley"--"the valley of craftsmen," as the word denotes. They dwelt together, according to a custom which, independently of any law, extensively prevails in Eastern countries for persons of the same trade to inhabit the same street or the same quarter, and to follow the same occupation from father to son, through many generations. Their occupation was probably that of carpenters, and the valley where they lived seems to have been in the neighborhood of Jerusalem (Neh 11:35).”

“The words “and Meonothai” should he added to the end of 1 Chronicles 4:13; but they should be retained also at the commencement of 1 Chronicles 4:14. Or, see the marginal note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Father - Of the inhabitants of the valley. 1 Chronicles 4:21”

“valley: or, inhabitants of the valley Charashim: that is, craftsmen. Kg2 24:14; Neh 11:35 1 Chronicles 4:15”