Chelubai

Biblical Record

The name Chelubai appears only once, in 1 Chronicles 2:9. The brief notice reads, "The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him; Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai." The text records none of his deeds or words.

According to this genealogy, Hezron was the son of Perez, the son of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:4–5). Chelubai was therefore a great-grandson of Judah.

Significance Within Scripture

First Chronicles 2 arranges the genealogy of the tribe of Judah according to the lines of Hezron's three sons:

• The line of Ram leads to David (1 Chronicles 2:10–15).
• The line of Jerahmeel appears in 2:25 and following.
• The line of Caleb appears in 2:18 and following and in 2:42 and following. Verse 18 introduces him as "Caleb the son of Hezron," and verse 42 as "Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel."

Because this Caleb is presented as both a son of Hezron and a brother of Jerahmeel, the Chelubai of verse 9 is generally identified with him. Among this Caleb's descendants was Bezalel. First Chronicles 2:19–20 records that Caleb fathered Hur by Ephrath, that Hur fathered Uri, and that Uri fathered Bezalel. Bezalel was the craftsman who made the tabernacle.

The New Testament does not mention Chelubai directly. However, his father Hezron and his brother Ram appear in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3–4.

Interpretation and Issues

• Form of the name: The Hebrew form of the name is Kelubai. Some regard it as a variant form derived from the same root as Caleb (Kalev).
• Distinguishing the two Calebs: Caleb the son of Hezron is usually considered a different person from Caleb the son of Jephunneh, one of the twelve spies. However, 1 Chronicles 2:49 names Caleb's daughter as Achsa, while Joshua 15:16–17 presents Achsah as the daughter of Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which raises the question of how the two figures are related. Scholars offer differing interpretations. Some see the genealogy as combining clan traditions associated with the same name, while others see it as listing two different individuals together within a single genealogy.
• The text says nothing about Chelubai's life. Any stories that circulate about him are extrabiblical additions.

In the Korean Church

Chelubai is rarely treated on his own in sermons or Sunday school. Most church members encounter him simply as one of the names in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles while reading through the Bible.