1 Chronicles / Chapter 7

1 Chronicles 7

40 verses • Westminster Leningrad Codex

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

The Chronicler covers six tribes in rapid succession: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. Each receives a genealogy with military census data, noting the number of warriors each clan produced. The Ephraim section includes a rare narrative fragment — the tragedy of Ephraim's sons who were killed raiding Gath, his grief, and the birth of a new son named Beriah ('in misfortune'). The chapter concludes with a detailed Asherite genealogy.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

This chapter demonstrates the Chronicler's varying access to source material. Issachar and Asher receive substantial genealogies with warrior counts; Naphtali gets a single verse. The Ephraim narrative (vv. 20-29) is found nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible — it is the Chronicler's unique contribution, preserving a tradition about a cattle raid gone wrong that resulted in death and mourning. The story breaks the genealogical pattern with genuine human emotion: Ephraim 'mourned many days, and his brothers came to console him' (v. 22). The Chronicler, usually austere in his genealogical sections, pauses for grief. The warrior census numbers throughout suggest the Chronicler is drawing on military muster rolls.

Translation Friction

The Benjamin genealogy here (vv. 6-12) differs significantly from the one in chapter 8, creating a major interpretive challenge. Some scholars suggest that verses 6-12 actually contain Zebulun and Dan material that has been mislabeled as Benjamin in textual transmission — this would explain the absence of Zebulun and Dan from the tribal genealogies. The Ephraim narrative (vv. 20-27) is chronologically difficult: it seems to place Ephraim in the land of Canaan during the patriarchal period, before the Egyptian sojourn, which contradicts the standard timeline. The events may be post-conquest, with 'Ephraim' referring to the tribe rather than the patriarch.

Connections

The warrior census data connects to the military musters in Numbers 1 and 26. The Ephraim narrative of loss and consolation echoes Jacob's grief for Joseph (Genesis 37:34-35) and anticipates David's grief for his son (2 Samuel 12:15-23). The Asherite genealogy preserves a tradition of strong warriors from a tribe often overlooked in biblical narrative. Joshua son of Nun appears at verse 27 as the climax of the Ephraim genealogy — the great military leader who conquered the land emerges from this tribe's lineage.

1 Chronicles 7:1

וְלִבְנֵ֣י יִשָּׂשכָ֗ר תּוֹלָ֤ע וּפוּאָה֙ יָשִׁ֣יב וְשִׁמְר֔וֹן אַרְבָּעָֽה׃ ס

The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron — four.

KJV Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Issachar's (Yissakhar, 'there is reward') four sons match Genesis 46:13 and Numbers 26:23-24 with minor name variations (Jashub/Iob). Tola (Tola, 'worm/crimson') was also the name of a judge from Issachar (Judges 10:1). Puah (Pu'ah, 'utterance' or a type of plant). Jashub (Yashiv, 'he returns'). Shimron (Shimron, 'watchpost'). The Chronicler gives Issachar a proper genealogy, unlike its minimal treatment in many other biblical texts.
1 Chronicles 7:2

וּבְנֵ֣י תוֹלָ֡ע עֻזִּי֩ וּרְפָיָ֨ה וִיֽרִיאֵ֜ל וְיַחְמַ֤י וְיִבְשָׂם֙ וּשְׁמוּאֵ֔ל רָאשִׁ֥ים לְבֵית־אֲבוֹתָ֖ם לְתוֹלָ֑ע גִּבּ֤וֹרֵי חַ֙יִל֙ לְתֹלְדוֹתָ֔ם מִסְפָּרָ֛ם בִּימֵ֥י דָוִ֖יד עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּשְׁנַ֛יִם אֶ֖לֶף וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת׃

The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel — heads of their ancestral houses in Tola's line, mighty warriors by their generations. Their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.

KJV And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Six sons of Tola, all identified as rashim leveit avotam ('heads of ancestral houses') and gibborei chayil ('mighty warriors'). The census is dated bimei David ('in the days of David'), indicating the Chronicler drew on military records from David's reign. Samuel (Shemu'el) as an Issacharite name is distinct from the prophet Samuel. The count of 22,600 warriors represents a substantial military contribution from a single sub-clan.
1 Chronicles 7:3

וּבְנֵ֤י עֻזִּי֙ יִזְרַחְיָ֔ה וּבְנֵ֣י יִזְרַחְיָ֗ה מִֽיכָאֵ֧ל וְעֹבַדְיָ֛ה וְיוֹאֵ֥ל יִשִּׁיָּ֖ה חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה רָאשִׁ֖ים כֻּלָּֽם׃

The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishiah — five, all of them leaders.

KJV And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five. All of them were chief men.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Izrahiah (Yizrachyah, 'YHWH will shine') has four sons, and the total of five counts Izrahiah himself. The designation rashim kullam ('all of them leaders') indicates every member of this family held leadership status. Michael (Mikha'el), Obadiah (Ovadyah, 'servant of YHWH'), Joel (Yo'el), and Ishiah (Yishshiyyah, 'YHWH will lend') are all theophoric names, suggesting strong YHWH worship in this Issacharite clan.
1 Chronicles 7:4

וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם לְתֹלְדוֹתָ֗ם לְבֵ֤ית אֲבוֹתָם֙ גְּדוּדֵ֣י צְבָ֣א מִלְחָמָ֔ה שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וְשִׁשָּׁ֖ה אָ֑לֶף כִּֽי־הִרְבּ֥וּ נָשִׁ֖ים וּבָנִֽים׃

With them, by their generations and ancestral houses, were armed troops for war — thirty-six thousand — because they had many wives and sons.

KJV And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The total Izrahiah force numbered 36,000 warriors — larger than the Tola count (22,600) because ki hirbu nashim uvanim ('they had many wives and sons'). The Chronicler explicitly connects polygamy with military strength: more wives produced more sons who became more warriors. The term gedudei tseva milchamah ('troops of the army for war') indicates organized military units, not a loose militia.
1 Chronicles 7:5

וַאֲחֵיהֶ֗ם לְכֹל֙ מִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת יִשָּׂשכָ֔ר גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י חֲיָלִ֔ים שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים וְשִׁבְעָ֖ה אָ֑לֶף הִתְיַחְשָׂ֖ם לַכֹּֽל׃ פ

Their relatives throughout all the clans of Issachar — mighty warriors — totaled eighty-seven thousand according to their genealogical registration.

KJV And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The total Issacharite military strength: 87,000 warriors (gibborei chayalim). The phrase hityachsam lakkol ('their genealogical registration of all') uses the Chronicler's technical enrollment term. This is a massive force — Issachar alone could field an army larger than many ancient city-states. The petuchah marker closes the Issachar section.
1 Chronicles 7:6

בִּנְיָמִ֗ן בֶּ֧לַע וָבֶ֛כֶר וִידִֽיעֲאֵ֖ל שְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃

The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher,, and Jediael — three.

KJV The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Benjamin's (Binyamin, 'son of the right hand') three sons here differ from the ten sons listed in Genesis 46:21. Bela (Bela, 'destruction'), Becher (Bekher, 'firstborn/young camel'), and Jediael (Yedi'a'el, 'known by God') may represent the major clan divisions rather than all of Benjamin's individual sons. Chapter 8 will provide a much more extensive Benjaminite genealogy focused on the Saulide line.
1 Chronicles 7:7

וּבְנֵ֣י בֶ֗לַע אֶצְבּ֤וֹן וְעֻזִּי֙ וְעֻזִּיאֵ֨ל וִירִימ֤וֹת וְעִירִי֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה רָאשֵׁ֥י בֵית־אֲבוֹתָ֖ם גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י חֲיָלִ֑ים וְהִתְיַחְשָׂ֗ם עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּשְׁנַ֛יִם אֶ֖לֶף וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָֽה׃ ס

The sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri — five, all heads of ancestral houses, mighty warriors. Their genealogical enrollment: twenty-two thousand thirty-four.

KJV And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Bela's five sons lead ancestral houses and are counted as warriors: 22,034. Ezbon (Etsbon) also appears as a Gadite name (Genesis 46:16). Jerimoth (Yerimot, 'heights') is a common Benjaminite name. The precision of the count (not a round number but 22,034) suggests the Chronicler is drawing on actual military records rather than estimating.
1 Chronicles 7:8

וּבְנֵ֣י בֶ֗כֶר זְמִירָ֡ה וְ֠יוֹעָ֠שׁ וֶאֱלִיעֶ֨זֶר וְאֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֜י וְעׇמְרִ֧י וִירֵמ֛וֹת וַאֲבִיָּ֧ה וַעֲנָת֛וֹת וְעָלָ֑מֶת כׇּל־אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵי־בָֽכֶר׃

The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.

KJV And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Nine sons of Becher — a large clan. Anathoth (Anatot) and Alemeth (Alemet) also appear as city names (6:60), illustrating the overlap between personal names and settlement names. Omri (Omri, 'my sheaf') shares a name with the later Israelite king. Eliezer (Eli'ezer, 'my God is help') and Elioenai (Elyo'einai, 'my eyes are toward God') are theophoric names.
1 Chronicles 7:9

וְהִתְיַחְשָׂ֨ם לְתֹלְדוֹתָ֜ם רָאשֵׁ֤י בֵית־אֲבוֹתָם֙ גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י חָ֔יִל עֶשְׂרִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף וּמָאתָֽיִם׃ ס

Their genealogical enrollment by generations, heads of ancestral houses, mighty warriors: twenty thousand two hundred.

KJV And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Becher's clan count: 20,200 warriors. The consistent terminology — hityachsam letoledotam rashei beit avotam gibborei chayil — creates a formulaic framework for the military census data across all tribes.
1 Chronicles 7:10

וּבְנֵ֥י יְדִיעֲאֵ֖ל בִּלְהָ֑ן וּבְנֵ֣י בִ֠לְהָ֠ן יְע֨וּשׁ וּבִנְיָמִ֤ן וְאֵהוּד֙ וּכְנַעֲנָ֣ה וְזֵיתָ֔ן וְתַרְשִׁ֖ישׁ וַאֲחִישָֽׁחַר׃

The son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.

KJV The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Bilhan (Vilhan, 'timid') — the same name as a Horite in 1:42. Ehud (Ehud, 'united/strong') shares the name of the left-handed Benjaminite judge who assassinated the Moabite king Eglon (Judges 3:15-30). Benjamin appears as a personal name within the tribe of Benjamin — naming a son after the tribal ancestor. Tarshish (Tarshish, 'yellow jasper') shares the name of the distant western port. Seven sons of Bilhan represent a substantial sub-clan.
1 Chronicles 7:11

כׇּל־אֵ֜לֶּה בְּנֵ֤י יְדִֽיעֲאֵל֙ לְרָאשֵׁ֣י הָאָב֔וֹת גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י חֲיָלִ֔ים שִׁבְעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר אֶ֑לֶף וּמָאתַ֕יִם יוֹצְאֵ֥י צָבָ֖א לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ ס

All these sons of Jediael, by their ancestral heads, mighty warriors — seventeen thousand two hundred who went out to war for battle.

KJV All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Jediael's military count: 17,200 warriors yotse'ei tsava lammilchamah ('going out as an army for battle'). The phrase indicates these were active-service troops, not just men of military age. The combined Benjaminite force from these three clans (22,034 + 20,200 + 17,200 = 59,434) represents a formidable tribal army.
1 Chronicles 7:12

וְשֻׁפִּ֤ם וְחֻפִּם֙ בְּנֵ֣י עִ֔יר חֻשִׁ֖ם בְּנֵ֥י אַחֵֽר׃ ס

Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir. Hushim was the son of Aher.

KJV Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This cryptic verse has generated enormous scholarly debate. Shuppim (Shuppim, 'serpents') and Huppim (Chuppim, 'coverings') appear as Benjaminite names in Genesis 46:21. Hushim (Chushim, 'hasty ones') is listed as a son of Dan in Genesis 46:23, leading some scholars to conclude that 'Aher' (Acher, 'another/different') is a veiled reference to Dan — 'the sons of another (tribe).' If so, this single verse may be the Chronicler's entire Danite genealogy, compressed or disguised.
1 Chronicles 7:13

בְּנֵ֖י נַפְתָּלִ֑י יַחֲצִיאֵ֧ל וְגוּנִ֛י וְיֵ֥צֶר וְשַׁלּ֖וּם בְּנֵ֥י בִלְהָֽה׃ ס

The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum — the sons of Bilhah.

KJV The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Naphtali (Naftali, 'my wrestling') receives only this single verse — the shortest tribal genealogy in all of Chronicles. The four sons match Genesis 46:24. The note benei Vilhah ('sons of Bilhah') identifies their grandmother as Rachel's handmaid, placing Naphtali among the concubine tribes. The brevity may reflect limited available sources for Naphtali or the Chronicler's greater interest in southern and central tribes.
1 Chronicles 7:14

בְּנֵ֖י מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה אַשְׂרִיאֵ֕ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָלְדָ֖ה פִּילַגְשׁ֥וֹ הָאֲרַמִּיָּ֑ה יָלְדָ֕ה אֶת־מָכִ֖יר אֲבִ֥י גִלְעָֽד׃

The sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore — she bore Machir the father of Gilead.

KJV The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Manasseh's (Menasheh) genealogy begins with Asriel (Asri'el, 'vow of God') and Machir (Makhir, 'sold'). The Aramean concubine (pilagesh ha'Arammiyyah) is an intermarriage note — like the Egyptian connections in Judah's genealogy (2:34, 4:18), the Chronicler records foreign wives without censure. Machir as avi Gil'ad ('father of Gilead') connects this genealogy to the Transjordanian territory. The grammar of this verse is complex and debated.
1 Chronicles 7:15

וּמָכִ֞יר לָקַ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לְחֻפִּ֣ים וּלְשֻׁפִּ֔ים וְשֵׁ֥ם אֲחֹת֖וֹ מַעֲכָ֑ה וְשֵׁ֤ם הַשֵּׁנִי֙ צְלׇפְחָ֔ד וַתִּהְיֶ֥נָה לִצְלׇפְחָ֖ד בָּנֽוֹת׃

Machir took a wife for Huppim and Shuppim. His sister's name was Maacah. The name of the second was Zelophehad, and Zelophehad had only daughters.

KJV And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Zelophehad (Tselofchad, meaning uncertain) is the famous figure whose five daughters petitioned Moses for inheritance rights when their father died without sons (Numbers 27:1-11). Their case established the legal precedent that daughters could inherit when there were no male heirs. The Chronicler's note vatihyenah liTslofchad banot ('Zelophehad had daughters') alludes to this landmark case without retelling it — the audience would know the story and its legal implications.
1 Chronicles 7:16

וַתֵּ֨לֶד מַעֲכָ֤ה אֵֽשֶׁת־מָכִיר֙ בֵּ֔ן וַתִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ פֶּ֑רֶשׁ וְשֵׁ֤ם אָחִיו֙ שֶׁ֔רֶשׁ וּבָנָ֖יו אוּלָ֥ם וָרָֽקֶם׃

Maacah, Machir's wife, bore a son and named him Peresh. His brother's name was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rekem.

KJV And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Peresh (Peresh, 'dung/excrement' — possibly apotropaic, meant to ward off evil) and Sheresh (Sheresh, 'root') are Machir's sons through Maacah. Ulam (Ulam, 'first' or 'porch') and Rekem (Reqem, 'variegated') are grandsons. The naming of Machir's wife as Maacah connects this Manassite family to the Aramean Maacah-kingdom territory, reinforcing the Transjordanian geography.
1 Chronicles 7:17

וּבְנֵ֥י אוּלָ֖ם בְּדָ֑ן אֵ֚לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י גִלְעָ֔ד בֶּן־מָכִ֖יר בֶּן־מְנַשֶּֽׁה׃

The son of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead son of Machir, son of Manasseh.

KJV And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Bedan (Bedan, 'son of Dan' or 'in judgment') may be the figure mentioned in 1 Samuel 12:11 as a deliverer of Israel, alongside Gideon, Jephthah, and Samuel. The summary formula benei Gil'ad ben Makhir ben Menasheh ('sons of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh') traces the line back three generations to the patriarch.
1 Chronicles 7:18

וַאֲחֹת֣וֹ הַמֹּלֶ֗כֶת יָלְדָ֞ה אֶת־אִישְׁה֧וֹד וְאֶת־אֲבִיעֶ֛זֶר וְאֶת־מַחְלָֽה׃

His sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.

KJV And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Hammolecheth (HaMmolekhet, 'the queen' or 'she who reigns') is a remarkable name for a woman — it implies queenship or royal authority within the clan. Abiezer (Avi'ezer, 'my father is help') is the clan from which Gideon came (Judges 6:11, 34) — placing Gideon's ancestry within this Manassite branch. Mahlah (Machlah, 'weakness/sickness') is also the name of one of Zelophehad's five daughters (Numbers 27:1).
1 Chronicles 7:19

וַיִּהְי֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י שְׁמִידָ֑ע אַחְיָ֥ן וְשֶׁ֖כֶם וְלִקְחִ֥י וַאֲנִיעָֽם׃ ס

The sons of Shemida: Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

KJV And the sons of Shemidah were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Shemida (Shemida, 'name of knowledge') is listed in Numbers 26:32 as a Manassite clan. Shechem (Shekhem) as a personal name connects to the city. Ahian (Achyan, 'brother of the one'), Likhi (Liqchi, 'my learning'), and Aniam (Ani'am, 'I am a people') are clan leaders within the Shemida division.
1 Chronicles 7:20

וּבְנֵ֥י אֶפְרַ֖יִם שׁוּתָ֑לַח וּבֶ֤רֶד בְּנוֹ֙ וְתַ֣חַת בְּנ֔וֹ וְאֶלְעָדָ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ וְתַ֥חַת בְּנֽוֹ׃

The sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eladah his son, Tahath his son,

KJV And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Ephraim genealogy begins with Shuthelah (Shutelach, 'noise/din') from Numbers 26:35. Bered (Bered, 'hail'), two Tahaths (Tachat, 'beneath'), and Eladah (El'adah, 'God has adorned') carry the line forward. The narrative disruption that follows (vv. 21-24) will interrupt this genealogy with a story of tragedy.
1 Chronicles 7:21

וְזָבָ֥ד בְּנ֖וֹ וְשׁוּתֶ֣לַח בְּנ֑וֹ וְעֵ֣זֶר וְאֶלְעָ֗ד וַהֲרָגוּם֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י גַת֙ הַנּוֹלָדִ֣ים בָּאָ֔רֶץ כִּ֣י יָרְד֔וּ לָקַ֖חַת אֶת־מִקְנֵיהֶֽם׃

Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead. The men of Gath who were born in the land killed them, because they went down to seize their livestock.

KJV And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The genealogy suddenly erupts into narrative: Ezer (Ezer, 'help') and Elead (El'ad, 'God has testified') were killed by anshei Gat hannolladim ba'arets ('the men of Gath who were born in the land') during a cattle raid. This is the only narrative episode in chapters 1-9 outside the Jabez prayer. The phrase ki yardu laqachat et miqneihem ('because they went down to take their livestock') describes a raid — whether a legitimate conquest or simple rustling is unclear. The men of Gath killed them in defense of their property.
1 Chronicles 7:22

וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֛ל אֶפְרַ֥יִם אֲבִיהֶ֖ם יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ אֶחָ֖יו לְנַחֲמֽוֹ׃

Ephraim their father mourned for many days, and his brothers came to console him.

KJV And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Chronicler preserves raw grief: vayyit'abbel Efrayim avihem yamim rabbim ('Ephraim their father mourned many days'). The verb hitabbel ('to mourn') indicates formal, sustained mourning — not a brief sadness but extended lamentation. And vayyavo'u echav lenachamo ('his brothers came to console him') — the same consolation language used for Jacob mourning Joseph (Genesis 37:35, where Jacob 'refused to be consoled') and for Job's friends (Job 2:11). This three-word sentence — 'his brothers came to console him' — is one of the most human moments in the genealogies.
1 Chronicles 7:23

וַיָּבֹא֙ אֶל־אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וַתַּ֖הַר וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֑ן וַיִּקְרָ֤א אֶת־שְׁמוֹ֙ בְּרִיעָ֔ה כִּ֥י בְרָעָ֖ה הָיְתָ֥ה בְּבֵיתֽוֹ׃

He went to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son. He named him Beriah, because disaster had struck his house.

KJV And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. After the mourning, new life. Beriah (Beri'ah) is explained by the wordplay ki bera'ah hayetah beveito ('because in misfortune/evil it was in his house'). The name Beriah sounds like bera'ah ('in evil/misfortune'). This naming pattern — embedding grief in a name — mirrors Jabez (4:9), where a mother named her son 'Pain.' Both names testify to suffering; both become starting points for new clan lineages. Ephraim's grief does not end the tribe — it generates a new branch.
1 Chronicles 7:24

וּבִתּ֣וֹ שֶׁאֱרָ֔ה וַתִּ֧בֶן אֶת־בֵּית־חוֹר֛וֹן הַתַּחְתּ֥וֹן וְהָעֶלְי֖וֹן וְאֵ֥ת אֻזֵּ֥ן שֶׁאֱרָֽה׃ ס

His daughter was Sheerah. She built Lower Beth-horon, Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah.

KJV And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzen-sherah.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Sheerah (She'erah, 'kinswoman' or 'remnant') is one of the most remarkable women in the genealogies — she is credited with building three towns. The phrase vattiven et Beit Choron ('she built Beth-horon') uses the standard city-founding verb. Lower and Upper Beth-horon controlled the main pass between the coastal plain and the central highlands — militarily crucial positions. Uzzen-sheerah (Uzzen She'erah, 'ear/edge of Sheerah') is named after her. A woman who builds cities is rare in the Hebrew Bible; the Chronicler records it without commentary.
1 Chronicles 7:25

וְרֶ֥פַח בְּנ֖וֹ וְרֶ֣שֶׁף וְתֶ֑לַח בְּנ֖וֹ וְתַ֥חַן בְּנֽוֹ׃

Rephah was his son, and Resheph, and Telah his son, Tahan his son,

KJV And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Ephraim genealogy resumes after the narrative interlude. Rephah (Refach, 'riches'), Resheph (Reshef, 'flame/burning' — also the name of a Canaanite plague deity, here used as a personal name), Telah (Telach, meaning uncertain), and Tahan (Tachan, 'camp/grace') carry the line forward toward its climax.
1 Chronicles 7:26

לַעְדָּ֥ן בְּנ֖וֹ עַמִּיה֥וּד בְּנ֑וֹ אֱלִישָׁמָ֖ע בְּנֽוֹ׃

These were ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,

KJV Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Ladan (La'dan, meaning uncertain), Ammihud (Ammihud, 'my people is glorious'), and Elishama (Elishama, 'my God has heard'). Elishama son of Ammihud was the tribal leader of Ephraim during the wilderness period (Numbers 1:10, 2:18), confirming that this genealogy is tracing the leading family of the tribe — the line that would produce the greatest Ephraimite of all.
1 Chronicles 7:27

נ֥וֹן בְּנ֖וֹ יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ בְּנֽוֹ׃ ס

Nun his son; Joshua his son.

KJV Non his son, Jehoshua his son.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The genealogy reaches its climax: Nun (Nun, 'fish') and Joshua (Yehoshu'a, 'YHWH saves/is salvation'). Joshua son of Nun — Moses' successor, the conqueror of Canaan, the man who led Israel into the promised land. The Chronicler traces him through the Ephraim-Shuthelah line, establishing that the greatest military leader of the conquest era was an Ephraimite. The placement of Joshua at the end of the Ephraim genealogy mirrors the placement of David at the center of the Judah genealogy (2:15).
1 Chronicles 7:28

וַאֲחֻזָּתָ֥ם וּמֹשְׁבוֹתָ֖ם בֵּֽית־אֵל֙ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ וְלַמִּזְרָ֖ח נַעֲרָ֑ן וְלַֽמַּעֲרָ֗ב גֶּ֤זֶר וּבְנֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ וּשְׁכֶ֣ם וּבְנֹתֶ֔יהָ עַד־עַזָּ֖ה וּבְנֹתֶֽיהָ׃

Their property and settlements: Bethel and its surrounding towns, Naaran to the east, Gezer and its towns to the west, and Shechem and its towns as far as Ayyah and its towns.

KJV And their possessions and habitations were, Bethel and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Ephraimite territorial description: Bethel (Beit El, 'house of God') — the ancient sanctuary city on the Ephraim-Benjamin border. Naaran (Na'aran, to the east near Jericho). Gezer (to the west). Shechem (the great central city). The Hebrew reads ad Azzah, which some read as Gaza (far to the southwest), but this seems geographically impossible for Ephraim; it may be Ayyah or a local site. The territory spans the central hill country from the Jordan Valley to the Shephelah foothills.
1 Chronicles 7:29

וְעַל־יְדֵ֣י בְנֵי־מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה בֵּית־שְׁאָ֣ן וּבְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ תַּעְנַךְ֙ וּבְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ מְגִדּ֥וֹ וּבְנוֹתֶ֖יהָ דּ֣וֹר וּבְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ בְּאֵ֣לֶּה יָשְׁב֔וּ בְּנֵ֥י יוֹסֵ֖ף בֶּן־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ ס

Along the borders of the Manassites: Beth-shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, and Dor and its towns. In these lived the sons of Joseph son of Israel.

KJV And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth-shean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Four major cities along Manasseh's borders: Beth-shean (Beit She'an) in the Jordan Valley, Taanach (Ta'anakh) and Megiddo (Megiddo) in the Jezreel Valley, and Dor (Dor) on the coast. These are some of the most strategically important cities in the land — Megiddo alone controlled the international trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. The summary formula benei Yosef ben Yisra'el ('sons of Joseph son of Israel') wraps up both Ephraim and Manasseh as a single unit.
1 Chronicles 7:30

בְּנֵ֣י אָשֵׁ֗ר יִמְנָ֧ה וְיִשְׁוָ֛ה וְיִשְׁוִ֥י וּבְרִיעָ֖ה וְשֶׂ֥רַח אֲחוֹתָֽם׃

The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.

KJV The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Asher's (Asher, 'happy/blessed') four sons and sister match Genesis 46:17. Beriah (Beri'ah, 'in misfortune') shares the same name as Ephraim's son born in grief (v. 23). Serah (Serach, 'abundance') is notable — she appears in both Genesis 46:17 and Numbers 26:46 as the only granddaughter of Jacob named in the genealogies. Rabbinic tradition gave her extraordinary longevity, claiming she lived from the entry into Egypt to the exodus.
1 Chronicles 7:31

וּבְנֵ֣י בְרִיעָ֔ה חֶ֖בֶר וּמַלְכִּיאֵ֑ל ה֖וּא אֲבִ֥י בִרְזָֽיִת׃

The sons of Beriah: Heber; and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.

KJV And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Heber (Chever, 'associate/companion') and Malchiel (Malki'el, 'God is my king') are Beriah's sons (Numbers 26:45). Birzaith (Birzayit, possibly 'olive well') is either a settlement or a daughter — the Hebrew is ambiguous. If a settlement, Malchiel was its founder. The Heber mentioned here may be the ancestor of Jael's husband Heber the Kenite (Judges 4:11), who is associated with the Asher region.
1 Chronicles 7:32

וְחֶ֗בֶר הוֹלִ֤יד אֶת־יַפְלֵט֙ וְאֶת־שׁוֹמֵ֣ר וְאֶת־חוֹתָ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת שׁוּעָ֥א אֲחוֹתָֽם׃

Heber fathered Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua.

KJV And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Japhlet (Yaflet, 'he delivers'), Shomer (Shomer, 'keeper/guard'), Hotham (Chotam, 'seal/signet ring'), and their sister Shua (Shu'a, 'wealth/prosperity'). The naming of sisters at key junctures continues the Chronicler's pattern of noting women in genealogical records. Shua's name ('wealth') contrasts with the patriarch's name Asher ('happy') — both suggesting material blessing.
1 Chronicles 7:33

וּבְנֵ֣י יַפְלֵ֔ט פָּסַ֥ךְ וּבִמְהָ֖ל וְעַשְׁוָ֑ת אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י יַפְלֵֽט׃

The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were the sons of Japhlet.

KJV And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Pasach (Pasakh, 'divider'), Bimhal (Bimhal, meaning uncertain), and Ashvath (Ashvat, meaning uncertain) — Asherite clan leaders unique to this passage. The Chronicler's Asherite genealogy is remarkably detailed compared to Naphtali's single verse, suggesting access to an Asherite clan register.
1 Chronicles 7:34

וּבְנֵ֣י שֶׁ֔מֶר אֲחִ֥י וְרוֹהְגָ֖ה יְחֻבָּ֥ה וַאֲרָֽם׃

The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.

KJV And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Shemer (Shemer, a variant of Shomer from v. 32) has four sons. Ahi (Achi, 'my brother'), Rohgah (Rohgah, 'clamor/agitation'), Jehubbah (Yechubbah, 'he hides'), and Aram (Aram) — the last name identical to the nation Aram/Syria. These names are unique to this genealogy.
1 Chronicles 7:35

וּבְנֵ֥י הֵ֖לֶם אָחִ֑יו צוֹפַ֧ח וְיִמְנָ֛ע וְשֵׁ֥לֶשׁ וְעָמָֽל׃

The sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.

KJV And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Helem (Helem, 'dream/strength') is likely identical with Hotham from verse 32 — the name variation may reflect different manuscript traditions. Zophah (Tsofach, 'jug/wide-mouthed vessel'), Imna (Yimna, 'he restrains'), Shelesh (Shelesh, 'triad/triplet'), and Amal (Amal, 'toil/labor') continue the Asherite clan structure.
1 Chronicles 7:36

בְּנֵ֣י צוֹפַ֗ח ס֤וּחַ וְחַרְנֶ֙פֶר֙ וְשׁוּעָ֣ל וּבֵרִ֔י וְיִמְרָ֖ה׃

The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, and Imrah,

KJV The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Suah (Suach, 'wiping away'), Harnepher (Charnefer, 'panting/snoring'), Shual (Shu'al, 'fox'), Beri (Beri, 'my well'), and Imrah (Yimrah, 'resistance'). Shual shares a name with the 'land of Shual' in Benjamin's territory (1 Samuel 13:17). The Asherite genealogy continues to grow deeper than any other northern tribal genealogy in Chronicles.
1 Chronicles 7:37

בֶּ֧צֶר וָה֛וֹד וְשַׁמָּ֥א וְשִׁלְשָׁ֖ה וְיִתְרָ֥ן וּבְאֵרָֽא׃

Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.

KJV Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Six more sons of Zophah — making eleven in total, an unusually large family. Bezer (Betser, 'fortification/gold ore'), Hod (Hod, 'splendor/majesty'), Shamma (Shamma, 'desolation'), Shilshah (Shilshah, 'triad'), Ithran (Yitran, 'excellent'), and Beera (Be'era, 'well'). The large family size may explain the Chronicler's note that Asher produced exceptionally numerous warriors.
1 Chronicles 7:38

וּבְנֵ֖י יֶ֑תֶר יְפֻנֶּ֥ה וּפִסְפָּ֖ה וַאֲרָֽא׃

The sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara.

KJV And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Jether (Yeter, 'abundance') is likely the same as Ithran of verse 37 — an alternate form of the same name. Jephunneh (Yefunneh, 'he will be turned') shares the name of Caleb's father (Numbers 13:6), creating another cross-tribal name link. Pispah (Pispah, meaning uncertain) and Ara (Ara, 'lion' or 'wayfarer') are unique to this passage.
1 Chronicles 7:39

וּבְנֵ֖י עֻלָּ֑א אָרַ֥ח וְחַנִּיאֵ֖ל וְרִצְיָֽא׃

The sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.

KJV And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Ulla (Ulla, 'yoke') has three sons: Arah (Arach, 'wayfarer' — an Arah returned from exile in Ezra 2:5), Hanniel (Channi'el, 'God is gracious'), and Rizia (Ritsya, meaning uncertain). Hanniel is the name of the Manassite prince who helped divide the land (Numbers 34:23); its reuse here in Asher shows cross-tribal name sharing.
1 Chronicles 7:40

כׇּל־אֵ֣לֶּה בְנֵי־אָשֵׁ֗ר רָאשֵׁ֤י בֵית־הָאָבוֹת֙ בְּרוּרֵ֣י גִבּוֹרֵ֣י חֲיָלִ֔ים רָאשֵׁ֖י הַנְּשִׂיאִ֑ים וְהִתְיַחְשָׂ֗ם בַּצָּבָא֙ בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה מִסְפָּרָ֣ם אֲנָשִׁ֔ים עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְשִׁשָּׁ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃ פ

All these were the descendants of Asher — heads of ancestral houses, select mighty warriors, chief among the leaders. Their enrollment for military service in battle: twenty-six thousand men.

KJV All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father's house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Asher summary uses superlative language: rashei beit ha'avot ('heads of ancestral houses'), berurei gibborei chayalim ('select/choice mighty warriors'), rashei hannesi'im ('chief among the leaders'). The word berurim ('select/chosen') implies an elite among elites. The military count of 26,000 is modest compared to Issachar's 87,000, but the quality emphasis suggests a smaller, more highly trained force. The petuchah marker closes both the Asher section and the chapter.
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