What does Exodus 6:15 mean?

Simeon was the second son of Jacob (Genesis 35:23) and the father of six sons. These six sons would become the clans of Simeon. The final son, Shaul, is noted as "the son of a Canaanite woman." The verse is a repetition of Gene-sis 46:10. Simeon's family line is also noted in 1 Chronicles 4:24 and Numbers 26:12–13 with some differ-ences. In these passages, Jemuel is Nemuel; Zohar is Zerah; Jachin is Jarib; Obad is unlisted. Some suggest Obad was not listed due to his family line dying out sometime after the Hebrews left Egypt.

The story of Shaul is not specifi-cally mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. This verse clearly indicates Shaul was a half-brother, coming from a relationship Simeon had with a Canaanite woman. Some suggest this woman was a second wife after the death of Simeon's first wife or possibly an unknown concubine. Shaul's family appear to have experienced a notable increase in later years (1 Chronicles 4:25–27).