1 Chronicles 5 16

1 Chronicles 5:16 kjv

And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.

1 Chronicles 5:16 nkjv

And the Gadites dwelt in Gilead, in Bashan and in its villages, and in all the common-lands of Sharon within their borders.

1 Chronicles 5:16 niv

The Gadites lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its outlying villages, and on all the pasturelands of Sharon as far as they extended.

1 Chronicles 5:16 esv

and they lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasturelands of Sharon to their limits.

1 Chronicles 5:16 nlt

The Gadites lived in the land of Gilead, in Bashan and its villages, and throughout all the pasturelands of Sharon.

1 Chronicles 5 verses

1 Chronicles 5 16 Meaning

This verse states that the individuals mentioned previously were recognized as leaders of their ancestral households, and their status and lineage were formally documented and established through written genealogical records. It underscores the official verification of their position based on their paternal ancestry within their respective tribes.

1 Chronicles 5 16 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 5 focuses on the genealogies of the Transjordanian tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The initial verses detail the line of Reuben, emphasizing his loss of the birthright due to his transgression, which was subsequently passed to Joseph's sons. Following this, the chapter lists the descendants and leaders of these tribes, particularly highlighting their military prowess and eventual downfall leading to the Assyrian captivity due to their unfaithfulness to God. Verse 16 appears amidst the genealogical list of Gad's descendants, particularly those living in Bashan and Gilead. The Chronicler’s meticulous attention to these genealogies served several purposes for the post-exilic Israelite community: establishing legitimate tribal identity, defining boundaries for land inheritance, ensuring proper leadership, and reinforcing the covenantal history of Israel, even in tribes that eventually faced exile due to their sin.

1 Chronicles 5 16 Word analysis

• These: Refers to the previously mentioned individuals in the preceding verses (specifically, the descendants of Gad up to verse 15). It connects the preceding names to their role and status.
• were the chiefs (רָאשֵׁי - rashei): Plural construct form of רֹאשׁ (rosh), meaning "head," "chief," or "leader." This indicates they were recognized leaders or principal men, holding authority within their family units or clans, not just merely older or firstborn. Their position carried responsibility and representation.
• of the house (בֵית - beit): From בַּיִת (bayit), meaning "house," "household," or "family." This emphasizes the fundamental unit of Israelite society and lineage, where identity and status were rooted.
• of their fathers (אֲבֹתָם - avotam): Plural of אָב (av), meaning "father," "ancestor." It specifies that the 'house' referred to is that of their patriarchal ancestors, highlighting patrilineal descent and the foundational importance of tribal and familial heritage. This establishes their authority as stemming from a legitimate ancestral line, not self-proclamation.
• and they were recorded (וְהִתְיַחֲשׂוּ - vehit’yachashu): A verb from the root יָחַשׂ (yachas), which means "to enroll oneself by genealogy," "to be registered by descent," or "to be numbered." The Niphal conjugation implies a passive or reflexive sense – "they were enrolled/registered," indicating an official and deliberate act of documentation. This points to the authoritative nature of these records.
• by genealogy (בְּהִתְיַחְשָׂם - b'hit’yachsam): A nominal form derived from the same root as the previous verb (יָחַשׂ - yachas), effectively meaning "according to their enrollment/registration." It reinforces that the method of their recognition and establishment as chiefs was specifically through validated, written lineage records. This eliminates any doubt about their status and emphasizes the importance of meticulously maintained ancestral lists for legal, social, and religious purposes in ancient Israel. The repetition of the root underscores the central theme of genealogical authentication.

1 Chronicles 5 16 Bonus section

The Chronicler's emphasis on "being recorded by genealogy" served as a foundational assertion for the returning exiles. It provided a sense of rootedness and continuity with their rich past, legitimizing their claims to their ancestral lands and ensuring proper functioning of their social and religious structures. It countered any challenges to their identity, whether internal or external, by grounding their existence in divinely ordained lineage, stretching back to the patriarchal promises. The phrase itself conveys a sense of official recognition and divine ordering within the community, reinforcing that their place in the covenant community was not arbitrary but rooted in an unbroken line of descent, recorded for posterity.

1 Chronicles 5 16 Commentary

1 Chronicles 5:16 is a concise but potent declaration highlighting the critical importance of verifiable lineage within ancient Israelite society, a cornerstone of the Chronicler's narrative. It establishes the legitimacy of tribal leaders not by military might or personal charisma, but by their authenticated ancestral claim. This meticulously kept genealogical record ensured continuity, proper land inheritance, and faithful adherence to tribal and covenant responsibilities. For the post-exilic community, such records were vital for reconstructing national identity, affirming land claims, and identifying legitimate priests and leaders, validating God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even those from the lost tribes, through their preserved ancestry.