New International Version and they went to the outskirts of Gedor to the east of the valley in search of pasture for their flocks. New Living Translation and they traveled to the region of Gerar, in the east part of the valley, seeking pastureland for their flocks. English Standard Version They journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks, Berean Standard Bible and they journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, in search of pasture for their flocks. Berean Literal Bible And they went to the entrance of Gedor, as far as the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. King James Bible And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. New King James Version So they went to the entrance of Gedor, as far as the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. New American Standard Bible They went to the entrance of Gedor, as far as the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. NASB 1995 They went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. NASB 1977 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Legacy Standard Bible They went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Amplified Bible So they journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Berean Annotated Bible and they journeyed to the entrance of Gedor (wall), to the east side of the valley, in search of pasture for their flocks. Christian Standard Bible They went to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley to seek pasture for their flocks. Holman Christian Standard Bible They went to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley to seek pasture for their flocks. American Standard Version And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Contemporary English Version When the people needed more pastureland for their flocks and herds, they looked as far as the eastern side of the valley where the town of Gerar is located, English Revised Version And they went to the entering in of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. GOD'S WORD® Translation They moved to the outskirts of Gedor, on the east side of the valley, to find pasture for their flocks. Good News Translation they spread out westward almost to Gerar and pastured their sheep on the eastern side of the valley in which that city is located. International Standard Version They journeyed as far as the entrance of Gedor on the east side of the valley in order to find pasture for their flocks. NET Bible They went to the entrance of Gedor, to the east of the valley, looking for pasture for their sheep. New Heart English Bible They went to the entrance of Gerar, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Webster's Bible Translation And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand they journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, in search of pasture for their flocks. World English Bible They went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they go to the entrance of Gedor, to the east of the valley, to seek pasture for their flock, Berean Literal Bible And they went to the entrance of Gedor, as far as the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Young's Literal Translation and they go to the entrance of Gedor, unto the east of the valley, to seek pasture for their flock, Smith's Literal Translation And they will come to the entrance of Gedor, even to the sunrising of the valley to seek pasture for their sheep. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they went forth to enter into Gador as far as to the east side of the valley, to seek pastures for their flocks. Catholic Public Domain Version And they set out, so that they might enter into Gedor, as far as the eastern valley, and so that they might seek pastures for their flocks. New American Bible that they went to the approaches of Gedor, east of the valley, seeking pasture for their flocks. New Revised Standard Version They journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor they who dwelt in it were the first settlers. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they came to the entrance of Gadar unto the east of the valley to seek pasture for their sheep. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they went till they came to Gerara, to the east of Gai, to seek pasture for their cattle. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context More Descendants of Judah…38These men listed by name were the leaders of their clans. Their families increased greatly, 39and they journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, in search of pasture for their flocks. 40There they found rich, good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful, and quiet; for some Hamites had lived there formerly.… Cross References and they journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, Joshua 15:58 Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor, 1 Chronicles 12:7 and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor. to the east side of the valley, Genesis 13:10-12 And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) / So Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan for himself and set out toward the east. And Abram and Lot parted company. / Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom. Deuteronomy 3:12-20 So at that time we took possession of this land. To the Reubenites and Gadites I gave the land beyond Aroer along the Arnon Valley, and half the hill country of Gilead, along with its cities. / To the half-tribe of Manasseh I gave the rest of Gilead and all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og. (The entire region of Argob, the whole territory of Bashan, used to be called the land of the Rephaim.) / Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day. … Numbers 32:1-5 Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. / So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, / “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, … in search of pasture for their flocks. Genesis 47:3-4 “What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers. “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.” / Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.” Ezekiel 34:14-15 I will feed them in good pasture, and the lofty mountains of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. / I will tend My flock and make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. Joshua 22:9 So the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in the land of Canaan to return to their own land of Gilead, which they had acquired according to the command of the LORD through Moses. Judges 18:7-10 So the five men departed and came to Laish, where they saw that the people were living securely, like the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting. There was nothing lacking in the land and no oppressive ruler. And they were far away from the Sidonians and had no alliance with anyone. / When the men returned to Zorah and Eshtaol, their brothers asked them, “What did you find?” / They answered, “Come on, let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and it is very good. Why would you fail to act? Do not hesitate to go there and take possession of the land! … 1 Samuel 27:8 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 2 Kings 17:24 Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. 2 Chronicles 30:10-11 And the couriers traveled from city to city through the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun, but the people scorned and mocked them. / Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations: Ezekiel 47:13-23 This is what the Lord GOD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall receive two portions. / You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with an uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will fall to you as an inheritance. / This shall be the boundary of the land: On the north side it will extend from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon through Lebo-hamath to Zedad, … Matthew 4:13-16 Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— … Treasury of Scripture And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. they went. Gedor. 1 Chronicles 4:4,18 And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem… Joshua 12:13 The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; Geder. Joshua 15:58 Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor, Jump to Previous East Entrance Far Flock Flocks Gedor Grass-Land Journeyed Opening Outskirts Pasture Search Seek Side ValleyJump to Next East Entrance Far Flock Flocks Gedor Grass-Land Journeyed Opening Outskirts Pasture Search Seek Side Valley1 Chronicles 4 1. The posterity of Judah by Caleb, the son of Hur.5. Of Ashur, the posthumous son Hezron. 9. Of Jabez, and his prayer. 11. The other families of the same stock. 21. The sons of Shelah. 24. The posterity and cities of Simeon. 39. Their conquest of Gedor, and of the Amalekites in mount Seir. and they journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, The descendants of Simeon moved beyond their established territory because their population and herds required additional land. Gedor lay in the region associated with Judah’s southern hill country, where access to open land and water would have been important for a growing pastoral community. Jos 15:58 Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor, to the east side of the valley, They explored a specific valley district suitable for settlement. Its eastern side offered land that could support grazing and provide room for families, flocks, and herds. Gen 13:10-12 And Lot looked out and saw the whole plain… in search of pasture for their flocks. The Simeonites depended on livestock and needed reliable grazing land. Their search reflects the practical pressures facing the tribe as it sought to establish a secure place within the inheritance God had given Israel. Gen 47:3-4 “What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked… Persons / Places / Events 1. The SimeonitesThis verse refers to the descendants of Simeon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. They were seeking new territory for their flocks. 2. Gedor A location mentioned in the context of the Simeonites' search for pasture. It is believed to be a place in the southern part of Judah, though its exact location is uncertain. 3. The Valley The specific valley is not named, but it is described as being on the east side, indicating a geographical direction in their search for resources. Teaching Points God's ProvisionThe search for pasture by the Simeonites reminds us of God's provision for His people. Just as they sought resources for their flocks, we are encouraged to trust in God's provision for our needs. Seeking New Opportunities The journey to Gedor illustrates the importance of seeking new opportunities and being willing to move when necessary. In our lives, we should be open to God's leading into new ventures or areas of service. Community and Cooperation The Simeonites' collective effort to find pasture highlights the value of community and working together. In our faith communities, cooperation and unity are essential for growth and success. Faith in Action The act of seeking pasture demonstrates faith in action. It is not enough to trust God passively; we must also take steps in faith to pursue what He has promised. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 4:39?2. How does 1 Chronicles 4:39 demonstrate God's guidance in seeking new lands? 3. What can we learn about obedience from the actions in 1 Chronicles 4:39? 4. How does 1 Chronicles 4:39 connect with God's promises to Israel in Genesis? 5. How can we apply the diligence shown in 1 Chronicles 4:39 to our lives? 6. What role does divine direction play in decision-making, as seen in 1 Chronicles 4:39? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Chronicles 4:39? 8. How does 1 Chronicles 4:39 fit into the broader narrative of the Bible? 9. What is the significance of the location mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:39? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 4? Verse 39. - The place Gedor cannot be identified in this connection. There is a town of the name situated in the mountainous district of Judah between Halhul and Beth-zur, to the north of Hebron (Joshua 15:58). It is evident that this cannot be the place we require here. There is another town of the name (1 Chronicles 12:7), probably belonging to Benjamin, and which as little admits of being fitted in here. Both the Alexandrine and the Vatican Codex of the Septuagint, however, evidently read גְּדרָ for גְּדֹר. Now, Gerar of the Philistines would suit well for position and description, and also (Genesis 10:14) for the allusion found here (ver. 40) to the dwelling there "of old" of the people of Ham. The Hebrew word, however, generally applied to the valley of Gerar (נַחַל, wady) is not the word used here of Gedor (הַגָיְא, ravine). See Stanley's 'Syria and Palestine,' p. 159, and note. Not only are references frequent to the fertility of Gerar, but the significance of that in 2 Chronicles 14:14 speaks for itself. This alteration of reading, however, with acceptance of the Septuagint manuscripts, cannot be regarded as altogether satisfactory, and Keil ('Comm.,' in loc.) offers some suggestions of weight against those of Ewald, Bertheau, and others. 1 Chronicles 4:39 records a real trek by Simeonite clans who, facing limited resources, journeyed purposefully to Gedor’s outskirts, chose a strategic valley location, and diligently sought fresh pasture. Their story confirms the precision of Scripture’s geography, the fulfillment of earlier prophecies, and the principle that God guides, provides, and blesses believers who move forward in faith and practical wisdom. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew and they journeyedוַיֵּלְכוּ֙ (way·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk to the entrance לִמְב֣וֹא (lim·ḇō·w) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3996: An entrance, sunset, the west, towards of Gedor, גְדֹ֔ר (ḡə·ḏōr) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1446: Gedor -- 'wall', three cities in Israel, also a Benjamite to the east side לְמִזְרַ֣ח (lə·miz·raḥ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4217: Place of sunrise, the east of the valley, הַגָּ֑יְא (hag·gāy) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 1516: A valley in search of לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ (lə·ḇaq·qêš) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after pasture מִרְעֶ֖ה (mir·‘eh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4829: Pasture, the haunt of wild animals for their flocks. לְצֹאנָֽם׃ (lə·ṣō·nām) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock Additonal Resources 1 Chronicles 4:39 Blue Letter Bible1 Chronicles 4:39 Bible Gateway 1 Chronicles 4:39 Bible.com 1 Chronicles 4:39 NIV |



