1 Chronicles8
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,
2Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud,
4Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
5Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.
6These are the sons of Ehud. These are the heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Geba, who were carried captive to Manahath:
7Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who carried them captive; and he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
8Shaharaim became the father of children in the field of Moab, after he had sent them away. Hushim and Baara were his wives.
9By Hodesh his wife, he became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
10Jeuz, Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ households.
11By Hushim, he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal.
12The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns;
13and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath;
14and Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,
15Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
16Michael, Ishpah, Joha, the sons of Beriah,
17Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
18Ishmerai, Izliah, Jobab, the sons of Elpaal,
19Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
20Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
21Adaiah, Beraiah, Shimrath, the sons of Shimei,
22Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
23Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
24Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
25Iphdeiah, Penuel, the sons of Shashak,
26Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
27Jaareshiah, Elijah, Zichri, and the sons of Jeroham.
28These were heads of fathers’ households throughout their generations, chief men. These lived in Jerusalem.
29The father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, lived in Gibeon
30with his firstborn son Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
31Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,
32and Mikloth, who became the father of Shimeah. They also lived with their families in Jerusalem, near their relatives.
33Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal. Merib-baal became the father of Micah.
35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
36Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri became the father of Moza.
37Moza became the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
38Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and grandsons, one hundred fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 8.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Genealogies. (1-40).
vv1-40
Here is a larger list of Benjamin's tribe. We may suppose that many things in these genealogies, which to us seem difficult, abrupt, and perplexed, were plain and easy at that time, and fully answered the intention for which they were published. Many great and mighty nations then were in being upon earth, and many illustrious men, whose names are now wholly forgotten; while the names of multitudes of the Israel of God are here kept in everlasting remembrance. The memory of the just is blessed.
Key Words
בִּנְיָמִין: Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
יָלַד: to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
בֶּלַע: Bela, the name of a place, also of an Edomite and of two Israelites
בְּכוֹר: firstborn; hence, chief
אַשְׁבֵּל: Ashbel, an Israelite
שֵׁנִי: properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
אַחְרַח: Achrach, an Israelite
שְׁלִישִׁי: third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
נוֹחָה: Nochah, an Israelite
רְבִיעִי: fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth
Cross References
1 Chronicles 8Parallel genealogy identifying Jehiel as the father of Gibeon, supplementing this chapter's account.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Saul's sons, confirming Abinadab is the same as Ishui.
Supported by JFB
Lists Lod and Ono with returning exiles, confirming post-exilic resettlement details.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel text repeating Saul's immediate lineage of Ner, Kish, and his sons.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel genealogy of Jonathan's line through Merib-baal (Mephibosheth).
Supported by JFB
The shorter primary genealogy of Benjamin, which this chapter expands in detail.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Ajalon was originally Danite territory, later occupied by Benjamites after the exile.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions Kish's parentage, helping reconcile the names Abiel and Ner.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Merib-baal as Jonathan's lame son, elsewhere named Mephibosheth.
Supported by JFB
Moses' original list of Benjamin's sons, showing name variations over time.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Benjamin's post-exilic resettlement of Lod and Ono.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Lists Benjamite chiefs who chose to dwell in Jerusalem after the captivity.
Supported by JFB
Describes Benjamite archers who could use both right and left hands.
Supported by JFB
Verbatim parallel statement concerning the ancestral heads who dwelt in Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole