Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 4:8

"And Hakkoz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum." — 1 Chronicles 4:8 (ASV)

Coz begat Anub. — Coz (thorn) is unknown.

Anub. —LXX., Ενωβ. Compare Anâb (Joshua 11:21; Joshua 15:50), a town in the hill-country near Debir (Kirjathsepher). The word appears to mean “grape-town” so that “Coz begat Anub” reminds us of Matthew 7:16. Compare Isaiah 5:6; Isaiah 7:23.

Zobebah. —Hebrew, ha-zobebah, “she that goes (or flows) softly.” Perhaps so called from a neighbouring brook. Compare Isaiah 8:6.

The families of Aharhel the son of Harum. —The word Aharhel signifies “behind the rampart;” Harum, “the elevated.” Perhaps Harum (ἡ ἄκρα) was the citadel of the clans of Aharhel. Notice the expression, “Coz begat the clans of Aharhel son of Harum,” which is hardly intelligible if taken literally.

(9–10) And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren. —Jabez (Hebrew, Ia ‘ bêç) was a town of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:55), inhabited by certain clans of Sopherim, of the lineage of Salma son of Hur (1 Chronicles 2:50; 1 Chronicles 2:54–55). This is important, as giving a clue to the connection here, which is by no means clear upon the surface.

It seems to prove that 1 Chronicles 4:8–10 are to be regarded as part of the list which begins at 1 Chronicles 4:5: we may thus fairly assume, although the chronicler does not expressly state it, that 1 Chronicles 4:8 also concerns some clans of the Hurites (or Ash-hurites). Coz is not put into genealogical connection with the other Hurite houses; but it is reasonable to suppose that at the date of the present list the name was well known among the Hurites. “And Coz” may have fallen out of the Hebrew text, as the same expression follows immediately (1 Chronicles 4:8).