1 Chronicles 7
1 Chronicles 7 provides genealogical records of several tribes of Israel, focusing on Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. These genealogies emphasize the families and notable descendants of these tribes, including warriors and influential leaders. The chapter underlines the military strength of these tribes, particularly in Issachar, Benjamin, and Asher, while Ephraim’s lineage includes a sorrowful account of their losses. This chapter connects the tribes to their ancestral heritage, laying out a sense of continuity from the patriarchs.
1 Chronicles 7:1-5 (NKJV)
1 The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron—four in all.
2 The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house. The sons of Tola were mighty men of valor in their generations; their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.
3 The son of Uzzi was Izrahiah; and the sons of Izrahiah were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah. All five of them were chief men.
4 And with them, by their generations, according to their fathers’ houses, were thirty-six thousand troops ready for war, for they had many wives and sons.
5 Now their brethren among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, listed by their genealogies, eighty-seven thousand in all.
Issachar's descendants were notably strong and large in number, with four key sons: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. Tola's line produced powerful warriors during David’s reign, reflecting a heritage of military might. Uzzi's line, especially through Izrahiah, produced leaders. Their large family size led to an impressive number of soldiers, emphasizing Issachar’s military readiness. The tribe’s total fighting force, including other family branches, reached 87,000, showcasing Issachar’s considerable contribution to Israel’s strength.
1 Chronicles 7:6-9 (NKJV)
6 The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Becher, and Jediael—three in all.
7 The sons of Bela were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri—five in all. They were heads of their fathers’ houses, and they were listed by their genealogies, twenty-two thousand and thirty-four mighty men of valor.
8 The sons of Becher were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jerimoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these are the sons of Becher.
9 And they were recorded by genealogy according to their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, twenty thousand two hundred mighty men of valor.
Benjamin’s lineage is outlined through his three sons: Bela, Becher, and Jediael. The descendants of Bela and Becher are detailed, both lines producing many mighty warriors. Bela’s descendants numbered 22,034 soldiers, while Becher’s line yielded another 20,200 warriors. The significant military presence from these families underscores Benjamin's important role as a tribe with considerable strength, preparing them to protect Israel during times of conflict.
1 Chronicles 7:10-11 (NKJV)
10 The son of Jediael was Bilhan, and the sons of Bilhan were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
11 All these sons of Jediael were heads of their fathers’ houses; there were seventeen thousand two hundred mighty men of valor fit to go out for war and battle.
Jediael’s line, especially through his son Bilhan, continues the theme of strength and valor. His descendants were leaders of their families and were known for their ability in battle. The total number of soldiers in this line reached 17,200, emphasizing their readiness for war and the ongoing strength of Benjamin’s tribe. These men were essential to Israel’s military capacity, demonstrating both leadership and might.
1 Chronicles 7:12 (NKJV)
12 Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir, and Hushim was the son of Aher.
This verse briefly mentions two other descendants of Benjamin—Shuppim and Huppim, sons of Ir, and Hushim, son of Aher. Their specific roles or contributions are not expanded here, but they are included to show the continuation of Benjamin’s line, contributing to the tribe's genealogy and its legacy.
1 Chronicles 7:13 (NKJV)
13 The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
Naphtali’s lineage is traced briefly, listing four sons: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum. These men descended from Bilhah, Jacob’s concubine. While not much is detailed about their military or leadership roles in this chapter, their mention ensures that Naphtali’s tribe is recognized in the larger genealogical record.
1 Chronicles 7:14-19 (NKJV)
14 The descendants of Manasseh: his Syrian concubine bore him Machir the father of Gilead, the father of Asriel. Machir took as his wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose name was Maachah. The name of Gilead’s grandson was Zelophehad, but Zelophehad had only daughters.
15 (Maachah, the wife of Machir, bore a son, and she called his name Peresh; the name of his brother was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
16 The son of Ulam was Bedan.) These were the descendants of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
17 His sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.
18 And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.
This section of the genealogy focuses on Manasseh, Joseph’s son. Machir, born to Manasseh’s concubine, becomes the father of Gilead, and his lineage is described in detail. Of particular note is Zelophehad, who had only daughters. His daughters later petitioned for an inheritance, which becomes a significant legal precedent in Israel. The genealogy continues with other descendants, emphasizing the importance of family lines and continuity in tribal leadership and inheritance.
1 Chronicles 7:20-24 (NKJV)
20 The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son,
21 Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in that land killed them because they came down to take away their cattle.
22 Then Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
23 And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son; and he called his name Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house.
24 Now his daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah.
Ephraim’s line encounters tragedy when two of his descendants, Ezer and Elead, are killed by men from Gath. This tragic event leads to Ephraim mourning deeply, showing the emotional weight of loss in his family. Despite the sorrow, Ephraim’s line continues, and a son, Beriah, is born in the aftermath. Beriah’s name reflects the tragedy ("Beriah" sounds like "tragedy"). Notably, Ephraim’s daughter Sheerah stands out for her role in building towns, indicating that women, too, had significant roles in Israel’s history.
1 Chronicles 7:25-29 (NKJV)
25 And Rephah was his son, as well as Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son,
26 Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
27 Nun his son, and Joshua his son.
28 Now their possessions and dwelling places were Bethel and its towns: to the east Naaran, to the west Gezer and its towns, and Shechem and its towns, as far as Ayyah and its towns;
29 and by the borders of the children of Manasseh were Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.
The genealogy of Ephraim continues through Rephah to Joshua, Moses’ successor and the leader of Israel during the conquest of Canaan. Joshua’s inclusion emphasizes the importance of Ephraim’s line in Israel’s history. The chapter also lists the territorial possessions of Ephraim and Manasseh, showing their inheritance and the division of the land. These territories became central to the northern tribes of Israel, reflecting the fulfillment of God’s promise to Joseph’s descendants.
1 Chronicles 7:30-40 (NKJV)
30 The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah.
31 The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
32 And Heber begot Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua.
33 The sons of Japhlet were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were the children of Japhlet.
34 The sons of Shemer were Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35 And the sons of his brother Helem were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
36 The sons of Zophah were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Jithran, and Beera.
38 The sons of Jether were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara.
39 The sons of Ulla were Arah, Haniel, and Rizia.
40 All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army, fit for battle; their number was twenty-six thousand.
The tribe of Asher is listed last, highlighting the numerous sons and families descended from Asher. Notably, this genealogy includes several daughters, indicating their importance in Asher’s lineage. Asher’s descendants were known for their military strength, with 26,000 men ready for battle. The tribe is recognized for producing mighty warriors and leaders, continuing the theme of military valor seen throughout the chapter. This highlights Asher’s role in contributing to Israel’s defense and leadership.