Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Chronicles 1

Compare the marginal references and notes.

Dodanim - See the note on Genesis 10:4.

The Zemarite — See the note on Genesis 10:18. The inscriptions of the Assyrian monarch Sargon (c. 720 B.C.) mention Zimira, which is associated with Arpad (Arvad). There can be little doubt that this is the city indicated by the term “Zemarite.”

The sons of Shem—that is, descendants. Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech (or Mash) are stated to have been sons of Aram (Genesis 10:23). Meshech is the reading of all the manuscripts and is supported by the Septuagint here and in Genesis 10:23. It seems preferable to “Mash,” which admits of no very probable explanation.

Just as Hamites and Semites were intermingled in Arabia (see Genesis 10:7 and 10:29), so Semites and Japhethites may have been intermingled in Cappadocia—the country of the Meshech or Moschi . This Aramaean admixture may have been the origin of the notion, so prevalent among the Greeks, that the Cappadocians were Syrians.

Isaac and Ishmael - Isaac, though younger than Ishmael, is placed first, as the legitimate heir, since Sarah alone was Abraham’s true wife (compare the note on 1 Chronicles 1:36).