1 Chronicles 5 14

1 Chronicles 5:14 kjv

These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;

1 Chronicles 5:14 nkjv

These were the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz;

1 Chronicles 5:14 niv

These were the sons of Abihail son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz.

1 Chronicles 5:14 esv

These were the sons of Abihail the son of Huri, son of Jaroah, son of Gilead, son of Michael, son of Jeshishai, son of Jahdo, son of Buz.

1 Chronicles 5:14 nlt

These were all descendants of Abihail son of Huri, son of Jaroah, son of Gilead, son of Michael, son of Jeshishai, son of Jahdo, son of Buz.

1 Chronicles 5 verses

1 Chronicles 5 14 Meaning

This verse provides a genealogical listing for Abihail, tracing his patrilineal descent through eight named generations back to Gad, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the patriarch of the tribe of Gad. It establishes a clear lineage, which was crucial for tribal identity, inheritance claims, and socio-religious organization within ancient Israel, particularly for the tribe settled east of the Jordan River.

1 Chronicles 5 14 Context

1 Chronicles 5 focuses on the tribes settled east of the Jordan River: Reuben (vv. 1-10), Gad (vv. 11-17), and the half-tribe of Manasseh (vv. 18-26). This section provides their genealogies, details of their land and population, and accounts of their military prowess (such as the victory over the Hagrites) and eventual sin leading to exile. Verse 14 is specifically embedded within the genealogical record of the tribe of Gad, serving to meticulously trace a particular line of descent for one of its members, Abihail, back to the tribal patriarch. These detailed lists were critical for the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, affirming their identity, tribal claims to land, and connection to God's covenant promises, especially for those seeking to re-establish themselves in the land of Israel. Genealogies validated legal status, property rights, and positions within the community.

Word Analysis

• These: (Hebrew: ’ēlleh) - A demonstrative pronoun, serving to introduce the following list of individuals and their relationship. It functions like "Here are" or "These are the ones."
• were the sons of Abihail: (Hebrew: bnei ’Abîḥayil) -
  • sons of (bnei/bene): A common biblical idiom denoting direct descent, lineage, or belonging to a particular family or group. In this context, it clearly indicates a father-son relationship spanning generations.
  • Abihail (’Abîḥayil): Meaning "my father is might" or "father of might." This is a significant name, suggesting prominence or strength within the family or tribe. The detailing of his lineage implies a certain importance, possibly as a leader or head of a significant household.
• the son of Huri: (Hebrew: ben-Ḥûrî) -
  • Huri (Ḥûrî): An ancestor in the chain. The name itself does not carry immediate specific symbolic weight beyond its role as a link.
• the son of Jaroah: (Hebrew: ben-Yārôaḥ) -
  • Jaroah (Yārôaḥ): Potentially related to the moon or new moon, though its specific significance in this genealogical context is limited beyond being an ancestral name.
• the son of Gilead: (Hebrew: ben-Gil‘āḏ) -
  • Gilead (Gil‘āḏ): This name holds significant geographical and historical weight, referring both to the individual ancestor and the region East of the Jordan inhabited by Gad. Its inclusion explicitly connects this lineage to the foundational identity of the Gadite territory. It might indicate descent from a prominent person who founded or was associated with the land of Gilead.
• the son of Michael: (Hebrew: ben-Mîḵā’ēl) -
  • Michael (Mîḵā’ēl): A very common Hebrew name meaning "Who is like God?". Its popularity reflects a theological statement of humility and awe towards God.
• the son of Jeshishai: (Hebrew: ben-Yəšîšay) -
  • Jeshishai (Yəšîšay): Another name in the long line, not carrying specific symbolic meaning beyond being an ancestor.
• the son of Jahdo: (Hebrew: ben-Yaḥdô) -
  • Jahdo (Yaḥdô): An uncommon name, serving as a further link in the detailed ancestry.
• the son of Buz: (Hebrew: ben-Bûz) -
  • Buz (Bûz): Meaning "contempt" or "scorn." While the name's meaning seems negative, it was borne by a few biblical figures. Its presence here merely extends the genealogical chain.
• the son of Gad: (Hebrew: ben-Gāḏ) -
  • Gad (Gāḏ): The direct connection to Gad, the seventh son of Jacob, through Zilpah (Leah’s maidservant). His name means "troop" or "fortune." This explicitly anchors the entire lineage within one of the twelve tribes of Israel, verifying its tribal identity and validating its claim to inheritance within Gad's allocated territory.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "These were the sons of Abihail...the son of Gad": This entire phrase structures a classic Israelite tol’dot (generations) list. The repetition of "the son of" clearly delineates patrilineal succession over eight generations, meticulously tracing a specific individual (Abihail) back to his tribal progenitor. This painstaking detail emphasizes the purity and legitimacy of this specific line, paramount for validating claims of belonging, land rights, and historical identity for the returning exiles in the Chronicler's time.

1 Chronicles 5 14 Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:14 is a genealogical nugget nestled within the extensive records of the tribe of Gad. Far from being a mere dry list of names, it embodies the theological and practical significance of lineage in ancient Israel. The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community, systematically recorded these genealogies to remind the people of their divine heritage, the continuity of God's covenant with them, and their rightful place in the land and among the restored twelve tribes. This verse affirms Abihail's exact standing and connection to the tribal founder, Gad, demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving families and land rights. It underscores that individual identity in Israel was intrinsically linked to collective tribal identity and ancestry, which in turn was founded upon God's promise to Jacob and his descendants. These lists provided tangible proof for their claims on the ancestral territories East of Jordan, ensuring their re-integration into the community established by God's Law.

Bonus Section

• Selective vs. Comprehensive: While appearing exhaustive for this particular line, biblical genealogies are often selective, not necessarily listing every single generation. The detail here for Abihail suggests that this particular lineage held specific significance, perhaps because it represented a prominent clan, provided a missing link, or held administrative importance for the Chronicler's audience.
• Theological Importance of Genealogy: For the Chronicler, genealogies serve several theological purposes beyond simple record-keeping:
  1. Continuity of Israel: They demonstrate that the returned exiles are the legitimate inheritors of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  2. Land Claims: They authenticate the right to possess specific tribal territories allocated by God.
  3. Priestly/Royal Legitimacy: Other genealogies (e.g., Levites, Judah's royal line) establish the right to religious and governmental authority.
  4. Proof of God's Faithfulness: Despite Israel's failures and exile, God preserved their lineages, maintaining their identity as His covenant people.
• Eastern Tribes' Significance: The focus on the tribes east of the Jordan (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) highlights their particular journey—their desire to settle outside the main promised land (west of Jordan), their participation in national affairs, their eventual unfaithfulness, and their early exile. Their inclusion reminds the exilic community of lessons learned and God's consistent dealing with all His people.