1 Chronicles 5 10

1 Chronicles 5:10 kjv

And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 5:10 nkjv

Now in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand; and they dwelt in their tents throughout the entire area east of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 5:10 niv

During Saul's reign they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands; they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the entire region east of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 5:10 esv

And in the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagrites, who fell into their hand. And they lived in their tents throughout all the region east of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 5:10 nlt

During the reign of Saul, the Reubenites defeated the Hagrites in battle. Then they moved into the Hagrite settlements all along the eastern edge of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 5 verses

1 Chronicles 5 10 Meaning

1 Chronicles 5:10 concisely describes a pivotal event during King Saul's reign where the Transjordanian tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (collectively "they" based on the broader context of Chapter 5) engaged in a successful war against the Hagarites. The verse highlights their complete victory, indicating that the Hagarites were decisively defeated ("fell by their hand"), leading to the Israelites occupying the Hagarites' dwellings and territory, specifically "throughout all the east of Gilead." This act signifies a significant expansion of Israelite influence and pasturage lands in the fertile Transjordan region.

1 Chronicles 5 10 Context

1 Chronicles 5 begins by tracing the genealogy of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob, but immediately notes that he lost his birthright due to transgression, with the leadership lineage passing to Judah and the priestly one to Levi. However, Reuben, along with Gad and half-Manasseh, retained their territory east of the Jordan. This verse (5:10) introduces a specific military achievement of these Transjordanian tribes. It precedes a more detailed account in 1 Chronicles 5:18-22, which specifies the collective might of 44,760 valiant men from Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh who fought this war, emphasizing that their victory was granted by God because "they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them, because they put their trust in him" (1 Chr 5:20). The chronicler meticulously records tribal territories and military successes to highlight God's faithfulness in granting blessings, including land and victory, to those who obey and trust Him, often amidst surrounding foreign hostile entities. The "days of Saul" pinpoint this event to a specific historical period during Israel's early monarchy.

1 Chronicles 5 10 Word analysis

• And in the days of Saul: This phrase establishes the specific historical timeframe of the conflict. Saul's reign marked the beginning of monarchy in Israel, a period of consolidating borders and fighting surrounding peoples. Placing this event in Saul's era indicates it occurred relatively early in Israel's kingdom period, not under David's later, more extensive campaigns. It underscores that even in the foundational years of the kingdom, these tribes demonstrated military prowess aided by divine favor.
• they made war: The "they" refers collectively to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh who dwelt east of the Jordan, as context from 1 Chr 5:18 clearly reveals. This implies a unified effort among these Transjordanian tribes. The Hebrew phrase is ya'asu milḥamah (יַעֲשׂוּ מִלְחָמָה), literally "they did war." This verb "did" emphasizes the active undertaking of military action.
• with the Hagarites: The Haḡərî'îm (הַגְרִאִים) were a semi-nomadic Arab people, likely descendants associated with Hagar, Abraham's concubine, through her son Ishmael. They were known to inhabit regions east and south of Israel. Their mention highlights the persistent territorial conflicts between Israel and the nomadic peoples vying for the fertile grazing lands of the Transjordan. This conflict was over control and resources in a shared border region. The Chronicler might also implicitly be demonstrating YHWH's power over foreign, non-YHWH worshipping tribes.
• who fell by their hand: This idiomatic expression, wayyipəlû bəyāḏām (וַיִּפְּלוּ בְיָדָם), signifies a complete and decisive defeat. "Fell by their hand" means they were utterly conquered and subdued by the Israelite tribes. This phrasing often suggests God’s enabling power rather than purely human might. As 1 Chr 5:20 clarifies, this victory was not merely by their own strength but because God was "entreated of them."
• and they dwelt in their tents: The phrase wayyēšəḇû bə'ōhāleihæm (וַיֵּשְׁבוּ בְאֹהָלֵיהֶם) is profoundly significant. It means the conquering Israelites literally occupied the "tents" of the Hagarites. "Tents" are a symbol of nomadic lifestyle, representing mobile homes and all possessions. This implies not just military victory but a full and total displacement and appropriation of the enemy's living spaces, resources, and pastoral domains. It speaks of a thorough takeover, securing pasturage for their extensive flocks.
• throughout all the east of Gilead: This specific geographical descriptor pinpoints the location of both the conflict and the subsequent Israelite settlement. Gilead was a fertile, elevated region east of the Jordan River, historically valuable for its pastures and timber, extending northward from the territory of Reuben and Gad. The victory secured extensive pasturage crucial for the livelihoods of these livestock-rich tribes. This shows the tangible benefit of their faithfulness and military action.

1 Chronicles 5 10 Bonus section

• Unified Action and Shared Responsibility: The account in 1 Chronicles 5 implies a rare, strong, unified military effort among the Transjordanian tribes. Unlike many other biblical narratives focusing on single tribes or leaders, here, the collective "they" highlights the strength and blessings derived from inter-tribal cooperation, particularly vital for those living on the exposed eastern frontier.
• Economic Motivation and Divine Provision: The primary motivation for these Transjordanian tribes to engage in warfare and expand their territory was often economic – securing vast and fertile pasturage for their immense livestock (Num 32:1). This verse showcases how God's providential care extends to even the practical, livelihood needs of His people when they operate in faith, turning battles into bountiful blessings.
• Theological Parallel to Exilic Hope: For the post-exilic community of Judah for whom the Chronicler wrote, this narrative provided hope. If God could grant victory and territorial expansion to distant tribes (Reuben, Gad, Manasseh) in past conflicts due to their trust, He could surely restore and establish Judah in their land after exile, provided they returned to faithfulness. It connected past success with a template for future restoration.

1 Chronicles 5 10 Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:10 offers a snapshot of the Reubenite-led Transjordanian tribes asserting their claim over the valuable lands east of Gilead. The Chronicler, addressing a post-exilic audience, emphasizes this victory to convey God's continued faithfulness to His people, even to those who settled outside the primary land west of the Jordan. By noting it occurred in "the days of Saul," the chronicler anchors the event within Israel's early history as a kingdom, underscoring its historical veracity and the ongoing divine interaction in Israel's affairs. The victory over the Hagarites, fiercely nomadic tribes, and the subsequent occupation of "their tents" signify a complete conquest, ensuring the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-Manasseh access to crucial pasturage. Critically, while concise here, the broader account (1 Chr 5:20-22) attributes this success directly to the Israelites' trust in God and their cry for help, making this not merely a tale of military might, but a theological lesson on the efficacy of faith in YHWH for physical and territorial prosperity. It serves as a reminder that divine intervention secures what human effort alone cannot guarantee, establishing boundaries for future generations.