Hezron - Second son of Perez
Hezron - Second son of Perez [∞]
Jerahmeel and Hezron: First and Second Sons
- Jerahmeel is the firstborn son of Perez (the son of Judah). According to 1 Chronicles 2:25, Jerahmeel is Hezron’s older brother. This makes Jerahmeel the first son in the generation that comes after Perez.
- Hezron, on the other hand, is the second son of Perez. Despite being the second son, Hezron becomes important in the line of promise, as the second son pattern emerges in Scripture, where God often chooses the second-born to carry on significant roles in the plan of salvation.
Second-Son Pattern in Jerahmeel and Hezron
In biblical history, God frequently chooses the second-born son over the first, establishing the second-son pattern. Here’s how that pattern plays out with Jerahmeel and Hezron:
- Jerahmeel (the first son) is not the chosen one in this instance. Despite being born first, he doesn’t carry on the more significant line.
- Hezron (the second son) is the one chosen to continue the line that will eventually lead to the kingship of David and ultimately to Jesus Christ.
This fits the pattern seen in other biblical stories, such as:
- Cain and Abel: Abel (the second son) was favored by God, while Cain (the firstborn) was rejected (Genesis 4:4-5).
- Isaac and Ishmael: Isaac (the second son) was chosen, while Ishmael (the firstborn) was rejected (Genesis 21:12).
- Jacob and Esau: Jacob (the second son) was chosen over Esau (the firstborn) (Genesis 25:23).
- Joseph and his brothers: Joseph (the eleventh son) is chosen, even though he is not the firstborn (Genesis 37:3).
In this way, Hezron's line continues the Messianic promise, even though he is the second son, continuing the second-son pattern of being chosen over the first.
Why the Second Son is Chosen:
The recurring theme in Scripture is that God chooses the second son or the unexpected child to carry out His purposes, possibly as a symbol of God’s sovereignty and His preference for the humble and unexpected, aligning with the idea of Jesus as the second Adam (Romans 5:14, 1 Corinthians 15:45).
Conclusion:
- Jerahmeel is the firstborn son of Perez, but the focus is not on his line.
- Hezron, the second son of Perez, becomes the more significant figure, following the pattern where God chooses the second-born to continue the line of blessing.
- Hezron's descendants, through Ram (his son), lead to the royal line of David, which ultimately brings us to Jesus.
So, Jerahmeel is the first son, but Hezron is the one through whom the chosen line continues, fitting the second-son pattern seen throughout Scripture.
