1 Chronicles 4 36

1 Chronicles 4:36 kjv

And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah,

1 Chronicles 4:36 nkjv

Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, and Benaiah;

1 Chronicles 4:36 niv

also Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,

1 Chronicles 4:36 esv

Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,

1 Chronicles 4:36 nlt

Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,

1 Chronicles 4 verses

1 Chronicles 4 36 Meaning

This verse continues the precise listing of nine specific men from the tribe of Simeon: Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, and Benaiah. These individuals were prominent leaders within their clans and likely instrumental in the subsequent expansion of their tribe's territory as described in the broader passage. The recording of their names highlights the detailed historical and genealogical records maintained within Israel, affirming tribal identities and God's sustained interaction with His people through specific individuals.

1 Chronicles 4 36 Context

First Chronicles chapter 4 delves into the detailed genealogies of several tribes, beginning with Judah and then moving to Simeon. This specific verse (4:36) is part of a list (4:34-37) identifying specific clan leaders, chiefs, and headmen of Simeon. The Chronicler’s overarching purpose in compiling these extensive records was to provide the post-exilic community in Judah with a connection to their past, asserting their legitimate lineage, land claims, and God's covenant faithfulness despite the exile. The focus on Simeon's expansion and vitality (4:39-41) demonstrates that even a tribe like Simeon, prophesied to be scattered (Gen 49:5-7), still experienced God's favor and growth through the leadership of specific individuals like those listed in this verse. These records served to reaffirm identity, encourage faithfulness to the covenant, and provide a framework for the restoration of Israel's communal and religious life.

1 Chronicles 4 36 Word analysis

• and (וְ - wāw): This Hebrew conjunction simply means "and," serving to connect each name in the continuous list. Its repetition underscores the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the genealogical record, emphasizing each individual's inclusion and significance within the clan structure.
• Elioenai (אֶלְיוֹעֵינַי - 'el·yo·'ei·nay): This is a theophoric name, meaning "My eyes are toward the LORD" or "Towards Jehovah are my eyes." Such names were common in ancient Israel, reflecting the parents' piety, hope, or circumstances, and serving as a constant reminder of God's presence and the family's dependence on Him. It points to a gaze fixed on divine guidance and provision.
• Jaakobah (יַעֲקֹבָה - ya·'a·qō·vāh): This name is related to the patriarch Jacob, meaning "supplanter" or "one who grasps the heel." Its appearance connects the individual to the foundational narrative of Israel, rooting them firmly within the covenant history and highlighting the enduring significance of ancestral names within the tribal lineage.
• Jeshohaiah (יְשׁוֹחַיָה - yᵉshō·ḥā·yāh): Another theophoric name, likely meaning "Yahweh makes alive" or "Jehovah is life." This conveys a sense of divine vitality, life-giving power, or preservation. It testifies to God as the source of life and renewal within the community.
• Asaiah (עֲשָׂיָה - 'aśā·yāh): Meaning "Yahweh has made" or "The Lord has accomplished/created." This name suggests God's creative power and sovereign work in bringing about events or even the existence of the individual. It recognizes divine agency in all aspects of life.
• Adiel (עֲדִיאֵל - 'a·ḏî·’ēl): Meaning "Ornament of God" or "God is my ornament." This name speaks of beauty, honor, or distinction bestowed by God. It implies that the individual is considered a source of glory or an adornment reflecting God's presence and blessing.
• Jesimiel (יְסִימִיאֵל - yᵉsî·mî·’ēl): Possibly meaning "God appoints," "God sets up," or "God establishes." This name emphasizes divine sovereignty in ordaining or commissioning individuals for specific roles or establishing their standing. It points to a divine hand in leadership and order.
• Benaiah (בְּנָיָה - bᵉnā·yāh): A common biblical name meaning "Yahweh has built" or "God has built." This signifies divine construction, strengthening, or establishment. It highlights God as the builder of individuals, families, and the nation, indicating growth, stability, and enduring prosperity attributed to Him.

• "and Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah," (continuous list of names): The extensive enumeration of these specific individuals is not merely a dry record but an affirmation of each person's vital role within their community. Many of the names carry "theophoric" elements, meaning they incorporate part of God's name (El, Yah/Jah) or refer to God's attributes and actions. This consistent feature transforms a simple list into a theological statement, testifying to the pervasive awareness of God's presence, activity, and ultimate sovereignty over the lives and destiny of His people. The careful listing also provided the returning exiles with a tangible link to their ancestry, reassuring them of their heritage and right to the land and leadership within the restored community.

1 Chronicles 4 36 Bonus section

• Theophoric Names as Theological Statements: The prevalence of God-related names among these leaders serves as a silent theological commentary within the seemingly mundane genealogical list. Each name is a mini-confession or praise, revealing the Israelite worldview where God was seen as the active agent in daily life, history, and destiny. These names collectively painted a picture of a people whose existence, hope, and direction were bound up in the LORD.
• Significance of "Heads of Fathers' Houses": The men listed here, though their individual actions are not detailed, represent the foundational leadership of their tribal units. In ancient Israel, the "head of a father's house" was crucial for maintaining order, transmitting tradition, administering justice, and leading in communal activities, including war and settlement. Their naming signifies an organized and divinely recognized structure within the tribe.
• Counter to Dispense with Genealogy: In a post-exilic world, where identity was fractured and tribal lands potentially contested, these meticulous records were a powerful counter-narrative to any temptation to abandon traditional structures. They provided a concrete, divinely sanctioned link to the past, assuring the legitimacy of their present claims and future hopes rooted in God's ancient covenant with Israel.

1 Chronicles 4 36 Commentary

First Chronicles 4:36 provides a concise yet significant list of seven prominent leaders from the tribe of Simeon. Alongside those mentioned in verses 35 and 37, these men were identified as chiefs within their respective clans (v. 38) and were instrumental in the subsequent territorial expansion described later in the chapter. The Chronicler's deliberate inclusion of these specific names, many bearing theophoric meanings (e.g., Elioenai, Jeshohaiah, Benaiah), underscores God's active involvement in the lives of His people. It reveals that the lineage, leadership, and prosperity of the tribes were ultimately attributable to divine providence, not mere human effort. For the post-exilic audience, this detailed genealogy reinforced their historical continuity with ancient Israel, legitimized their claims to the covenant promises, and reminded them of God's unwavering faithfulness even to tribes like Simeon, which had faced challenges and had been numerically small. The passage encourages a recognition of God's hand in establishing leaders and granting success, emphasizing the divine foundation for communal strength and territorial growth.